Police officers staged a protest sit-in against the terrorist attacks targeting law enforcement personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat on Monday. They blocked the Indus Highway as part of their demonstration.
Lakki Marwat and neighbouring Bannu district have been the hotspots in the northwest province after a rise in terrorist activities in Pakistan. In 2022, the Counter-Terrorism Department centre in Bannu was cleared after a four-day siege where militants took law enforcers hostage at the facility.
It merits here to mention that there has been a rise in terrorist incidents in the district over the past month, with five police officers killed in shooting attacks by unidentified men in just the last week.
Following a series of terrorist assaults, police personnel took to the streets to voice their concerns.
A consultation was held at the police lines, where they presented their demands, including a call for full authority for police operations, and protection for officers. They assured that police would eliminate terrorism within three months.
Furthermore, the officers demanded the reinstatement of the police union and the closure of the unsafe and remote Bragi Police Station. Following their discussions, they blocked the Bannu-Mianwali Road.
In Lakki Marwat, police officers have expanded their protest by blocking the Indus Highway and staging a sit-in. In a show of solidarity, they have boycotted their duties and formed a six-member committee for negotiations.
The officers have issued a two-day ultimatum to address their demands, declaring that their protest will continue for two days. If their demands are not met, they plan to escalate their protest.
The officers are calling for immediate attention to their grievances, highlighting the urgent need for better support and security for law enforcement in the region.
To address the situation, the Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Imran Shahid arrived to negotiate with the protesters, accompanied by Lakki Marwat District Police Officer (DPO) Taimoor Khan and the Bannu DPO.
Despite lengthy discussions with the negotiation committee, the RPO was unable to satisfy the protesters, who remained steadfast in their initial demands. The sit-in continues, attracting many policemen. In a show of resilience, the protesters performed their evening prayers on the road.
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The situation remains tense as police officers call for urgent reforms and better protection amid rising threats to their safety.
The Bannu police have decided to participate in the protest rally scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) in Laki Marwat.
As a show of solidarity with the police, Lakki Marwat District Bar Association President Asif Iqbal has announced a boycott of court proceedings. Additionally, local civil society organisations have also declared their intention to join the protest on Tuesday.
