Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: District Police Officer(DPO)Salim Abbas Kalachi on Thursday said that they want an easy and swift dispute resolution system so that local conflicts and petty issues can be resolved with the help of local people.
Salim Abbas Kalachi said this while addressing the first-ever Dispute Resolution Council(DRC)established at Landikotal Police Station. He said the induction of a female council member was an omen that showed that tribal people were social, vibrant and respected women folk. He added that it was the first dispute resolution council in the history of the tribal belt.
He said it was a good start for the police department minimising issues and keeping peace in the area. He said that soon more DRCs would be established in the districts.
“It is the prime goal of the Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to establish councils at the tehsil level in merged districts and save public money and time”, said Salim Kalachi. He said the council would work as a team to resolve land, monitory and other disputes respecting the Pashtoon’s culture and norms in their decisions.
He said local elders and Maliks had played a vital role for decades as they were inducted into DRC along with youngsters to learn about the system.
He said the DRC aimed to strengthen the Tribal Jirga system and keep the tribal traditions alive. He said DRC would also provide justice and save court time and money.
” I appreciate DRC member Amna Afridi who bravely came forward to become the first tribal woman to be a member of the council”, DPO said. He said Amna Afridi would also help protect women’s rights. He said Amna would be the voice of those women who either did not want to visit the police station or due to various reasons had no access to justice. He said Amna Afridi’s role in domestic disputes would be more than important to resolve women’s issues before they knock on the court door. He said every citizen could file their complaint with DRC as it is an official council and its decision must be respected at every forum.
He urged the council members should resolve disputes beyond their interests and other benefits.
Superintendent of Police Investigation Kamal Hussain, deputy Superintendent of circle police Mazhar Afridi and Station House Officer Akbar Afridi were also present.
DPO took oath from 21 members of the council including the female.
Many locals, officials, traders and bazaar union members also attended the oath-taking ceremony held at Landikotal Jirga Hall. District Police Officer Salim Kalachi formally inaugurated the DRC office.
