Police fail to control rising gun culture

PESHAWAR: Enmities among rival groups in this provincial capital have become more violent as police have failed to curb the rising gun culture in society.

In recent months, rival groups took to social media to exchange threats, often uploading videos and pictures flaunting armed guards to showcase their strength.Every year, hundreds of people are killed in blood feuds across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as societal tolerance continues to erode. Traditional mechanisms like jirgas and alternative dispute resolution forums are no longer as effective as they once were.

Hundreds of individuals wanted in connection with these feuds remain at large, with police struggling to arrest the culprits. This failure has led to an alarming increase in violence.In one recent incident, five people were killed and six others injured when rivals opened fire on a vehicle within the jurisdiction of Michani Gate Police Station.

The rising intolerance in society is evident from an incident last year in Badaber, where eight members of a family—including women and children—were killed over a mere Rs2 million dispute. The youngest victim was an eight-month-old infant, while the eldest was an ailing elderly woman confined to her bed for years.

Police records revealed that 574 people were killed in shooting incidents in Peshawar during the first 11 months of last year. Among the victims were 49 women and 11 children. Additionally, 804 others were injured in these incidents.

Most of these killings were the result of longstanding enmities, though some were triggered by petty disputes. The alarming loss of life has prompted calls for the government, police, and society to play an active role in addressing the blood feuds that threaten law and order in the province.

Many of these feuds have persisted for decades. Armed groups involved in these conflicts are not only promoting gun culture but also terrorizing the public by openly displaying weapons.Reports suggest that some of these groups are involved allegedly in land grabbing, supporting criminals, and harassing innocent people. Their activities are often backed by influential local families, politicians, and other individuals who use them for personal gain. These feuds also create a sense of insecurity, affecting thousands of innocent people in the affected areas.

Most disputes stem from issues related to property, money, or family, often exacerbated by ego and minor conflicts. For instance, a feud that starts over a small piece of land can force families to sell several acres to cover the costs of prolonged disputes.

The Saddar Division Police, which deals with some of the most violent blood feuds, identified over 130 such cases a few years ago.In the Matani Police Station jurisdiction alone, there were 58 feuds posing a constant threat to law and order. Apart from Saddar, numerous feuds have been reported in the Rural, City, Faqirabad, Warsak, and Cantt divisions of Peshawar. The problem is even more pronounced in rural districts across KP, where gun culture continues to grow unchecked.

Residents in many areas are urging the government and police to revitalize Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) and Public Liaison Committees (PLCs).They also call for the inclusion of honest and reputable jirga elders to mediate and resolve disputes. However, many DRCs and PLCs currently include individuals with vested interests, often appointed by former DSPs and SHOs. These members, being ineffective and self-serving, undermine the credibility of such forums.

To address this issue, a multi-pronged approach is needed. This includes empowering trustworthy elders, reforming DRCs, and ensuring impartial police action against those who threaten law and order.

The police have launched crackdowns on groups involved in land grabbing, brandishing weapons in public, and disrupting peace. These actions have been widely welcomed by the public, who hope for similar measures in other districts to save lives and restore order.