Rally staged to condemn attack on police in Swat

MINGORA: Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Matta Wainai area in Swat district Tuesday to protest the attack on a police post a day earlier.

A police constable was injured when unidentified persons attacked Wainai Police Post in Matta tehsil on Monday evening.

People from various political, social, and religious circles, including lawyers, civil society, and different schools of thought participate in the rally, which was organised by the dwellers of Matta tehsil. Carrying white flags, the protesters were chanting slogans and demanding the government to restore peace in the valley.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders alleged that an orchestrated conspiracy was being hatched to spread chaos in Swat. “The wave of ‘artificial terrorism’ has been initiated in the region, as unfortunate incidents are occurring every other day,” said one of the speakers.

Expressing concern over the attack on police in Swat and elsewhere in the province, the speakers demanded the government to strengthen the police force in the province in the face of increasing attacks. “The cops must be equipped to cope with the situation,” said another speaker.

The protesters asked the government to utilise all efforts to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the region.“The government should also take action against the facilitators of the terrorists,” said yet another speaker.They vowed to extend all-out support to the police in restoring peace to the valley and blasted the government for its failure to provide security to the people.