Sept 11, 2024
Staff report
LAHORE
Following the target killing of five policemen by militants last week, Station House Officers (SHO), constables and other officials of various police stations across Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa abandoned their duties and donned civilian clothes as they set up a protest camp at the Lt. Adnan Shaheed Chowk in Tajazai, Lakki Marwat, blocking traffic along the Indus Highway.
The protest camp, which was set up on September 9, has swelled in numbers, as police officers from Karak, Bannu, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts, as well as tribal elders, civil society activists, bar members, students, trade unions and political activists joined the protest on September 10.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Imran Shahid, District Police Officer (DPO) Taimur Khan and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lakki Marwat Fahad Wazir engaged the six-member committee appointed by the striking protestors for negotiations late into the night, which ultimately fell apart. Checkposts and police stations remained empty for two consecutive nights.
The demonstrating police officers are demanding the immediate withdrawal of security personnel from the district, and empowerment of the police to restore law and order. They also demanded that the Bragi police station be abolished as it is situated in a remote locality and is exposed to security threats. Further, they are calling for the restoration of police unions, and that security forces vacate police control line rooms.
According to sources on the ground, a jirga is being convened to resolve the situation, while the Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police as well as a delegation of security officials are expected to meet the protestors for further negotiations. Demonstrators have given a two-day ultimatum for the fulfillment of their demands, and have warned of extending the strike if they remain unmet.