Cops in KPK districts of Lakki Marwat, Bannu & Bajaur have been out on the protest for the fourth straight day. These protests are as a result of gruesome murders of their colleagues and rising acts of aggression by armed formations.

The police officers in these areas are demanding two things:The police officers in these areas are demanding two things:

Removal of the military from their areas and change of power back to the police force.

Better safety to the officers especially in areas such as Bannu where the condition has worsened.

Sit-Ins and Protests Generalized beyond the City of Lakki Marwat

The biggest one was from Lakki Marwat and has now reached Bannu and bajor districts of Pakistan. In Bannu, the protest started after the last one day’s targeted killing of a policeman specific to the Domel police station area’s Constable Noor Alam Khan. I will also getting from the officer in Bannu more protection for police personnel who are attacked regularly and the arrest of his killers.

In Bajaur, the recent attack targeting polio team in which police officer was killed too have led to same sentiment. The police there are now clamoring for the restoration of their parliamentary powers, and asking that soldiers’ deployments in the area be scaled back besides.

The wide protests and the public support for the cause of widening came out in sundays.

The protests that have been done in Lakki Marwat have received a lot of support from the people of the area. Police protest also led to a shut down of businesses by the local business people on Thursday as they closed their shops in support of the police. A major route is under threat with demonstrators are putting their weight on the Indus Highway that runs from Peshawar to other parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s southern districts as well as Karachi.

Despite negotiations between the police and provincial authorities, the activist stated that they are ready to continue protesting as they have not achieved any of their goal. Key leaders of the protest have been identified to include both members of low ranking as well as those of higher ranking including the constables, sub-inspectors and others.

That is why the police officers are demanding the army’s withdrawal:

Some of the protestors who include Sub-Inspector Anis Rehman sarcastically said, “We are facing targeted attacks and losing our fellow officers daily.” The situation is unbearable.

Some of the officers accused the military of inactivity in Lakki Marwat despite the few terrorists, numbered around 200. They think that with enabling the police with sufficient power and manpower, the threat of the terrorists can be eradicated and order can be brought back.

Increasing Risks in the Area

In the last few months, acts of terrorism on policemen have risen significantly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province especially the southern regions of Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. More than 220 police officials including police, military and Frontier Corps have been killed in this region in the last six months.

Concerning the officers, they are always scared and frustrated as highlighted by the following statements. Some speak of being unable to travel, especially at night, because of the pervading risk of an assault. Certain regions have gone to an extent of developing local committees to assist in monitoring for such risks.

Conclusion

Continued demonstrations in KP illustrate that the law enforcers have been operating in very risky circumstances and are becoming increasingly intolerant of the existing security status quo. Their calls for the army’s presence to be reduced and more power handed to the police show that they think that they are capable of dealing with it but this can only be done if they have the required power. Until those demands are met, the protests will likely remain because officers and their families want safer working conditions and better protection for the police who have been killed in the line of duty.

Source:https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495415/police-protests-hamper-traffic-polio-campaign

Read More News here: https://whatshappening.pk/imf-board-meeting-pakistan-loan-program-september-25-2024/