MIRAMSHAH: The local administration has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in North Waziristan tribal district for 30 days.

According to an order issued by Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan on Monday, the decision has been taken due to the prevailing law and order situation and threats of attacks in the area.

The order said that Section 144 had been imposed in the wake of reports about the current law and situation in the district. The reports had warned of attacks and other sabotage activities in case sits-in, protest rallies, public meetings and gathering of five or more persons were held within the jurisdiction of the district, it added.

“It is imperative to impose complete ban on dharnas, protest rallies, public meetings and public gathering of five or more persons to prevent any untoward situation in the district,” said the order.

According to the order, people violating Section 144 will render themselves, whatever the case may be, liable to punishment under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

North Waziristan has witnessed a surge in attacks on personnel of security forces over the past couple of days, which have left 13 personnel, including senior officers, martyred.

The situation in the area deteriorated after a clash between security forces and activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement at the Kharqamar check post on May 26 in which reportedly 13 people were killed and 25 others injuries.

The administration had already imposed Section 144 in neighbouring South Waziristan tribal district on May 28 and placed a ban on public meetings and rallies due to the prevailing unrest in the area.

Meanwhile, Madakhel, Khaderkhel and Manzerkhel areas of the region continued to remain under curfew over the past couple of days.

Sources said that continuous curfew in these areas had badly affected the life of more than 7,000 families.

They said residents in these areas had complained about the shortage of edible items and that they were not being allowed even to shift patients to hospitals.

In a related development, a low-intensity explosion occurred near a check post in the Shewa area on Monday. Officials said the explosion did not cause any damage.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2019