Swatis stage rally to seek removal of checkposts

MINGORA: The Swatis on Sunday staged protest rallies in Mingora and Khwazakhela to demand removal of checkposts of the security forces in Swat and warned to stage another protest if their demand wasn’t met.

The protestors termed the roadside checkposts as unnecessary and the cause of inconvenience to the general public.

The protest rallies, apparently triggered by the death of a kid at a security checkpost, were organised at the Nishat Chowk in Mingora and Khwazakhela against harassment of citizens at the security forces’ checkposts.

The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for removal of checkposts from Swat. Some of the placards had slogans against the excesses of police and security forces.

The protesters alleged that innocent and law-abiding citizens are humiliated at the checkposts for the last 11 years.

The speakers claimed that thousands of innocent citizens were killed and houses destroyed during militancy and military operations in Swat.

The protesters said that they should be allowed freedom now that the area had been cleared of militants. They said that women, children and elderly people die at the checkposts, but nobody took any notice.

The protesters said that some elements were issuing them threats for organising the protest rallies. However, they said that they would not back off even if they were killed for highlighting this genuine demand. They said that they would continue demanding their basic right of freedom of movement and dignity.

They threatened to hold another protest if the checkposts were not removed within a week. The security forces had established checkposts after purging Swat militants in the wake of the military operation Rah-i-Rast. Though Swat has been purged of militants, sporadic incidents of violence continue in the district.