At least four members of peace demonstrations, Ulasi Pasoon, were released after six hours of “detention” by police in Swat on Thursday night. They were released after people mounted pressure.

“For six hours, we were kept in unlawful detention,” founder of the organisation Fawad Khan told Aaj News over the phone. He was detained along with Kamran, Aftab, and Kamal.

RPO Swat told Aaj News that it would give a response on Saturday morning. This story will be updated accordingly.

Ulasi Pasoon is a youth organisation that came into being after the Taliban started making their presence felt again in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Last year, Ulasi Pasoon led a peace march in many cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a single demand: peace.

They have support from locals, including the Manzoor Pashteen-led Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement. People from different walks of life and political parties have been a constant sight in their protests.

Their demands include a ban on all “armed groups”, action against troublemakers, protection of people, contractors, and traders. They have been speaking up against land grabbing and forced living in locals’ homes in Tutaro Bandae of Kabal, Swat. They claim that such properties have been occupied since the Swat operation in 2009.

“Rule of law should be maintained. This occupation should end in Kabal,” Fawad Khan said.