BAJAUR: The traders of Nawagai Bazaar, the third largest commercial centre of Bajaur tribal district, have expressed concerns over the “poor security measures” and demanded of the authorities to improve the security of the bazaar by deploying at least 25 policemen.

The demand was made during a meeting of Nawagai Traders Association held with its president Mian Ali Bahadar in the chair.

Besides the traders, a number of local political and religious leaders also attended the meeting.

The participants of the meeting said that Nawagai Bazaar was the third major trade centre of the district having more than 2,000 shops. However, they said that there were only two policemen for the security of the bazaar.

They said that in the past more than 16 policemen were deployed at the bazaar. They said shortage of police personnel in the bazaar was creating sense of insecurity among the traders. They added several incidents of clashes happened in the region during the holy month of Ramazan.

The traders said that senior police officials and district administration had promised them during their protest demonstration against the exchange of fire between two rival groups to deploy at least 15 policemen in the region within two days.

However, they said that the officials were yet to fulfil their promises despite passing of several days. They added that two persons were killed and 10 received injuries in the exchange of fire last week.

The traders asked the district administration and police department to take notice of the poor security arrangements in Nawagai Bazaar and take tangible steps for improvement of the situation. They also threatened to hold a protest demonstration if their demand was not accepted.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2021