NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Police in North Waziristan tribal district called off their strike and rejoined duty on Thursday after holding negotiations with regional police officer in Bannu.

DSP Syed Jalal, who heads Levies/Khasadar Forces Association in the tribal districts, told journalists in Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan district, that they ended the strike after getting firm assurance from senior officers regarding resolution of their problems.

Officials said that a three-member delegation of the association led by Syed Jalal held meeting with RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar in Bannu. The delegation briefed RPO about its demands particularly the provincial government’s decision of delegating magisterial powers to deputy commissioners in the region.

The provincial cabinet had approved appointment of DCs in tribal districts as the justices of peace to their respective districts which sparked resentment among personnel of Khasadar and Levies. The personnel of the force went on strike in North Waziristan.

The RPO, according to the official statement, assured the delegation that both Khasadar and Levies forces had been merged into police and would remain part of the department in future.

The members of the association also demanded restoration of khasadars, who migrated to Afghanistan in the wake of operation against militants in June 2014.

RPO Syed Ashfaq assured them that basic training would be imparted to personnel of Khasadar and Levies forces while uniform, weapons, communication tools, helmets and bullet proof jackets were being procured for them.

DSP Jalal told journalists that police personnel would not perform duty under the DCs. He said that they would boycott duty if their demands were not addressed.

Meanwhile, the home and tribal affairs department has clarified that the government has appointed the deputy commissioners of merged districts as justices of peace for the areas of their jurisdiction under Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

A statement issued in Peshawar said that the decision was taken in view of the problems faced by people in adapting to the recently introduced police system, especially with regards to registration of FIR, attestation of documents and personal identification for legal purpose.

The deputy commissioners, empowered as such, will also assist police and courts in matters of arrests in cognisable offences. They will be legally responsible for prevention of any breach of peace or disruption of public tranquility in the merged districts.

The district administration and police in merged districts have been directed to organise sessions and police darbars to create awareness among people.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2022