800-strong local police force deployed in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (PAN): An 800-strong local police force officially embarked on work in eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday to provide security for four districts on the border with neighbouring Kunar, an official said.

The announcement was made by Deputy Governor Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal at a gathering of tribal elders, government and foreign military officials in Jalalabad, the provincial capital.

With support from the international community, the Afghan government deployed local policemen, whose good conduct has been guaranteed by tribal elders, in Khewa, Kama, Goshta and Lalpura districts.

The deputy governor said each district would have 200 local police personnel in the first phase of deployment. Each member of the force will be paid 3000 to 6000 afghanis in salary.

Asked to define the force, Gardiwal said local police members — unlike militiamen — were not affiliated with a single tribe. Unlike the national police, they are not responsible for security in other areas.

Answerable to the provincial police headquarters, the local force members would be responsible for maintaining security in their respective areas, he explained.

ma/mud

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