Kapisa to have 600-strong local police force

MAHMUD RAQI (PAN): A 600-strong local police force would be deployed to the central province of Kapisa to maintain security in insecure parts, officials said on Thursday.

Over the past four months, the security situation in the province has been fragile, worrying residents. “Even areas on the outskirts of the provincial capital Mahmud Raqi are insecure,” one resident said.

Haji Lal Baz told Pajhwok Afghan News government employees in Tagab, Ala Sai and Nijrab districts would not be able to continue their jobs if steps were not taken to ensure their safety.

Militants searched vehicles on the road to the Tagab Bazaar on a daily basis, said a shopkeeper, Mohammad Azim.

Similarly, the people of Alasai could not go to the district bazaar due to the presence of foreign militants, said a Sakin area resident, Haji Babrak.

Local officials confirmed the security situation had got worse, compared to last year’s conditions, mainly due to the advent of summer and the presence of foreign militants.

An official at the governor’s office, Abdul Saboor Wafa, said they had taken measures to improve security. “We have decided to establish a 600-member local police unit, whose creation has already been approved.”

A tribal militia force that was established earlier harassed people and perpetrated different crimes, alleged a resident of Nijrab district, Shah Agha.

“Militiamen would never use their weapons for illegal activities,” promised Tagab police commander, Pacha Gul Bakhtiar. The force would be trained by foreign troops, he said.

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