Local police force helps improve Kunar security

ASADABAD (PAN): The law and order situation has improved in four districts of eastern Kunar province following the deployment of a local police force, officials said on Wednesday, but residents called for the force to undergo more professional training.

Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Hewaz Muhammad Naziri told Pajhwok Afghan News that almost 600 local policemen had been deployed to Narang, Sawakai and Sarkan districts, on the basis of their good performance in Khas Kunar district.

The force operated in coordination with Afghan National Police (ANP) and, as a result, the security situation in the districts had improved, he explained. “We have stationed 260 local policemen in Sarkan district, 200 in Sawakai and 160 in Narang.”

Wolesi Jirga member from the province, Saleh Muhammad Saleh, linked the improvement to people’s cooperation with local police, saying that no one in Kunar had the courage to commit crimes because of the strong unity among tribes.

Governor Syed Fazalullah Wahidi also acknowledged that the local police force had been useful in maintaining peace in the province. The force was deployed to districts in accordance with the wishes of locals, he said.

“Unlike in other provinces, the local force in Kunar is not under influence of former jihadi leaders and all these policemen are locals,” Wahidi added.

A resident of Narang district, Mohammad Mahir, said the Taliban could not create problems for the people due to the presence of the local force. However, he believed the force should have been deployed there after proper training.

“Jobless youth have joined the force and there has been a visible improvement in security after. People can now offer their morning and night prayers in mosques, something that was not possible in the past,” said Abdul Haq, a resident of Sarkano district.

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