Bringing back some normalcy to the district
Since 2009 after two military operations, Swat has remained by and large under army control with military check posts spread throughout the scenic valley. During and after both the operations there was scepticism over how effective the army’s fight against the Taliban really was. Nine years on however things are relatively much more peaceful despite occasional acts of terrorism, the latest of which killed eleven security personnel in the valley.
For such security concerns the army itself is perhaps not particularly confident that the city is ready to be handed back to the civilian security apparatus just yet. However the recent protests that ignited after the death of a sick infant at a security checkpoint has compelled the army to hand over check posts to police. An increasing number of complaints from local Tribal leaders about ‘maltreatment’ at various checkpoints contributed to the protesters anger.
Although there was initial push back from the relevant authorities with FIRs being registered against some of the protestors for allegedly chanting anti-state slogans, Swat would now have checkpoints manned by police. The exaggerated charges of treason and terrorism against the organisers and speakers at the demonstrations will also be dropped as part of the agreement between the two parties. It was a wise decision on the part of the security forces to agree to the demands of the local community thus removing the widely spelt out complaint and move forward.
It would have been ideal that if the situation had not come to the point where residents were forced to hit the streets and hold sit-ins to have their voices heard. After stabilising the region it only made sense for the police to take over security in the region. There is no denying that the police have little training for the job. Had an attempt been made soon after ridding the valley of the terrorists to enable the police to perform the duties on the checkposts the problem would have been resolved much earlier.
