PESHAWAR: Police force in North Waziristan announced boycott of duties in protest against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s proposed plan of granting magisterial powers to deputy commissioners in tribal districts.
The district police officials also criticised government for the alleged appointment of clerks on check posts who are unable to maintain law and order situation. The police personnel warned of complete boycott of duties saying that no FIRs will be registered, polio teams and election process will not be provided security in the district until the government withdrawn the plan.
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Addressing an emergency press conference at Miranshah press club on Wednesday, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Jalal, who was the president of Khasadar and Levies Force association before the merger of tribal districts, said that they have received regular training after taking responsibilities in the district but now the government is taking powers from the police and handing it over to the administration.
Jalal said that it will be better if the government reverse the system and replace deputy commissioners with political agents. Before the merger of tribal districts with the province through 25th constitutional amendment in 2018, political agents used to have magisterial powers. Jalal also warned the government of interference in the affairs of police department in tribal districts.
Dozens of police personnel, including all North Waziristan DSPs, SHOs and sub-inspectors, also attended the press conference. Syed Jalal further said that a grand jirga of all police forces of merged districts would be held on March 15 in Peshawar to take a unanimous decision in this regard. Referring to his resignation, he said that if a policeman was brought to North Waziristan from outside, they will not perform duties.
The police personnel warned that they will not perform duties until the government accept their demands.