SWAT: A large number of people in Fatehpur village of Charbagh tehsil on Friday took to the streets against lawlessness and rampant illicit drug trade in the area.

Elders from the village organised the rally that commenced from Fatehpur Bazaar and ended in a public gathering in front of the Fatehpur police station. Led by elders, including Iqbal Khan, Iqbal Hussain, Mufti Shakir Hussain, Nisar Khan, Said Ali, Aftab Khan, Tehsinullah and Abubakar, the demonstrators blocked the main Kalam-Mingora Road.

They accused the police of colluding with influential drug dealers, which they said had led to an alarming surge in drug-related activities in the region.

The protestors also staged a sit-in right in front of the police station. However, the peaceful demonstration escalated into a clash between the crowd and the police, resulting in the police resorting to firing in the air to disperse them.

As a consequence, the mob moved to Fathepur Chowk, where the village elders addressed them.

The elders highlighted a concerning trend in the area over the past few months, marked by an increase in theft and robbery incidents, which had eroded the sense of security in what was once a tranquil community. They said this deterioration in safety and security prompted the protesters to react strongly.

After the police opened fire, the protesters retaliated by pelting stones at the police station. This action resulted in the blocking of Khwazakhela-Kalam Road for several hours.

Addressing the protesters, the village elders expressed concern about the insecurity prevailing in their locality, characterised by lawlessness and the brazen sale of drugs by influential dealers.

They lamented that despite their repeated complaints to the police, drug dealers continued to ensnare the younger generation in the grip of addiction.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023