PESHAWAR: Security forces have vacated all the checkpoints in the Swat valley as part of the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stopped checking vehicles forthwith, sources said on Thursday.
Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad had asked security forces to demolish all the checkpoints to ensure free movement of the people. He had also asked the Taliban to direct their fighters to stop their activities and display of weapons at public places.
However, the sources said the militants were still blocking the movement of security forces in Qamber and Takhtaband. The militants reportedly forced eight vehicles of the military to move back to Barikot on Thursday.
Locals told our sources from Mingora by phone that the militants were still patrolling public places in Qamber, a town situated only three kilometres from Mingora. Maulana Fazlullah, chief of the banned TTP, had directed his fighters not to stop the convoys of security forces.
However, some groups are still involved in militant activities, violating the orders of Fazlullah.The Taliban have arrested five of their fighters for flouting the directives of their leadership of non-interference and announced to award them punishment in line with “Shariah”.
A military official in Mingora refused to comment on the reported incident of blocking the convoy of eight vehicles, but the sources said the militants were hindering their movement. The sources said the forces were exercising utmost restrain to salvage the peace process.
They said Sufi Muhammad was also disturbed by the continuing activities of the militants and the public display of arms. “There are some rogue elements in the ranks of the Taliban, who are not ready to obey even Fazlullah, and have been creating problems. However, they will be overcome,” sources quoted Sufi as saying.
Meanwhile, Sufi Muhammad said he was ready to play his role for restoration of peace in Waziristan and Bajaur. He said this at the Madni Masjid, where he has been staying for the last six days.
He said he was in consultation with the Malakand commissioner, deputy inspector general of police, Malakand Rang, and senior military officials for restoration of peace to the valley. He said he was also in contact with the Taliban leadership.
He added that his 10-day efforts brought normalcy to the Swat district. He hoped that the people would soon see permanent peace. Sufi said the militants would have to return all the vehicles, weapons and other goods snatched from security forces after the implementation of the Nizam-e-Adl.
He called for the people of Malakand division and Kohistan district to withdraw all the cases pending before the courts in order to file them afresh under the proposed Nizam-e-Adl Regulation. APP adds: Meanwhile, over 700 policemen have so far rejoined their duties and those suspended are trying to restore their services.
The APP Swat correspondent said all the major trading centres, markets, bazaars, commercial banks, government and semi-government offices and educational institutions were opened on Thursday.
Relief goods were distributed among the affected families. The relief goods, loaded in 20 trucks, were sent by the Punjab government. Police sources said all the police checkpoints and police stations would be re-established shortly.
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