By Fazal Khaliq
MINGORA: DIG Malakand Azad Khan has said that transition from army to police of maintaining law enforcement in Swat was a real challenge after the militancy was wiped out from the valley.
Talking on the law and order situation in Malakand division in general and Swat valley in particular, he said that despite a big challenge the police was on a leading role even in search and strike operations against anti-state elements.
He said that marked improvement in law and order situation could be observed where an ample decrease was seen, not only, in the criminal incidents but also in militancy related incidents.
“We have a specialized unit known as Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) which caters only militancy related incident and cases which is a marked improvement in police force,” he said, adding that morale of police against terrorists was high and stable.
Pointing out to the mobile phone call tracking system he said that with the technology extortions related incidents have fallen down. “We have the capability to track the location of the caller and have successfully arrested militants involved in demanding money,” he claimed and said that only those elements who intended to call from Afghanistan for extortions could not be reached.
About acquittal in terrorism cases from the courts he said that absence of direct evidences often led acquittal of terrorists. “Until the government ensures witness protection and does the necessary reform into the matter, no one will dare to come to court and give evidence against terrorists,” he said, adding that in the foreign countries witness enjoyed legal protection witnesses’ identity was kept masked so they had confidence in police.
To completely eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country, he said, the government must address the causes and factors of it. “Law enforcement agencies only control the situation and take action against terrorists but the foremost act is to address the factors which radicalize people, and to chalk out an affective system to cater terrorism,” he said.
He said that there must be an effective coordination between communities and police for better law and order situation.
“We are forming Police Liaison Committees on village/neighbourhood council level who will guide us about police-related issues in their area which will further enhance our efficiency,” he shared.
He also said that police were gaining public confidence in KP as big steps were being taken to improve reporting facility.
“Clean and tidy reporting centers are being constructed where well-mannered police will deal public to develop a strong link between public and police,” he said.
He said that a full-fledged police training school was also established in Swat for the entire region where all courses were being conducted.
