KHYBER/PESHAWAR: Police in Khyber tribal district set on fire a camp of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) during multiple raids carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The camp was established by PTM activists in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber for holding a jirga titled Awami Adalat on October 11.

PTM activists present at the destroyed camp told Dawn that police of Peshawar and Khyber raided the camp twice. They said that police uprooted the camp, took away camping material an in an early raid on Wednesday amid intense teargas shelling and firing in the air.

They said that police also rounded up some of the PTM activists, who resisted the action. They added that some of PTM activists received minor injuries with no casualties due to tear gas shelling and firing in the air.

KP govt spokesperson says action ordered by chief secretary on centre’s directives

The PTM activists assembled again at the same venue located adjacent of Regi Lalma residential complex to reestablish the camp amid calls for more reinforcements to workers and sympathisers.

Pashtun Shinwarai, a PTM activist, told Dawn that police again came to their camp in late afternoon on Wednesday and burnt down more campaign material, which was brought for resetting the camp.

“Police also resorted to firing in the air to scare away PTM activists, who stood their ground despite police onslaught. Nobody, however, was injured in the firing and police left after torching the tents. Workers remained peaceful,” he claimed.

Mr Shinwari said that none of their top leaders was arrested as they remained safe with their hosts in different parts of Jamrud. “We are not going to vacate the venue where we have announced our three-day Awami Adalat, starting on October 11. More workers are expected to join us by tomorrow (Thursday),” he added.

They said that local police also raided some houses in Jamrud to arrest PTM workers and leaders but no arrests could be immediately confirmed. Police in Jamrud confirmed to Dawn that they were part of the joint operation launched to dislodge the PTM camp near Regi Lalma township and located inside Khyber territorial limits.

They said that Peshawar police used extensive teargas shells that were responded by PTM workers with pelting of stones. Some policemen and some of the PTM activists were injured, they added.

They said that the operation was planned by Peshawar police while Khyber police were also present on the occasion owing to its territorial responsibility. “We were able to uproot their camp twice but could not dislodge the PTM workers as they remained steadfast and held their ground,” they added.

Meanwhile, the protesting Kukikhel tribesmen also announced their full support to the PTM moot and warned police to desist from any further action against them.

Malak Naseer Ahmad, a Kukikhel elder, told a gathering of PTM workers at the site of the October 11 jirga that his entire tribe would stand firmly behind them against any police action as they were the guests of Kukikhel tribe.

No official comment could be obtained from police for action against PTM despite repeated attempts in Peshawar. The provincial government, however, said that the PTM camp was raided following ‘direct orders’ from the federal government to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary.

The federal interior ministry, in a letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn, told the chief secretary that PTM, as an organisation, had been found involved in patronising and assisting incitement of hatred and contempt against the state and its institutions, while exploiting sectarian and ethnic sentiments and also used literature, print and electronic and other material for the purpose.

“In light of the above and considering that any ongoing or future activity by the organisation concerned is detrimental to public peace, the principles of statehood amongst others, such activities of PTM require strict regulations and intervention,” the letter said.

KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Saif, when contacted, said that the chief secretary directly received orders from federal interior ministry. He added KP police took action following direct orders from the chief secretary.

When asked if any action would be taken against the chief secretary or police for bypassing the provincial government, he said that the provincial government was never bypassed but a law was followed.

“Police took action against PTM under section 11 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, and taking action [against the chief secretary and police for bypassing the provincial government] is beyond our jurisdiction,” Mr Saif told Dawn.

He said that the action was taken under the federal laws and PTM should seek relief from court.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024