SWAT, Oct 9: Local cleric Maulana Fazlullah announced here on Tuesday the formation of a volunteer force to “control the law & order” and traffic problems in Matta tehsil.

He said that a shariat court had already been set up in his native Imam Dehri village.

Speaking to his supporters, Maulana Fazlullah claimed that the chronic traffic problem in the tehsil had been resolved in one day.

He termed drama the recent jirga convened by the administration. Even at that meeting the elders had demanded that the shariat laws should be enforced in the Swat district, he added.

The volunteer force, to be called Shaheen Commandos, started patrolling on Tuesday and passed through different roads in Matta and Kabal areas. Fifteen vehicles mounted with machineguns led the force.

Eyewitnesses said that the volunteers were making announcements advising the people to lodge complaints on two cell-phone numbers displayed at different mosques.