NWFP Govt. planning to induct Taliban militants into police, levies

Mingora (Pakistan), Mar. 14 (ANI): The North West Frontier Province Government is planning to induct Taliban militants into the police or Levies forces, as part of its rehabilitation policy.

"I have proposed the Taliban be adjusted in police or Levies force and have suggested this at several forums," The Daily Times quoted Malakand Division Commissioner Syed Muhammad Javed, as saying.

The rehabilitation proposal of Taliban militants has generated grim response from policemen, who deserted their posts due to Taliban retaliation.

An estimated 600 police officers are believed to have left the force in Swat since the Taliban insurgency began two years ago. Official figures have revealed that 70 police jawans have been killed and 160 got wounded so far.

"The police jawans' confidence is shaken," Javed said, adding that a new salary package was under consideration to attract more people to the force.

Six months ago, the Taliban kidnapped lady constable Aalya near Mingora, and forced her to marry a Taliban commander, sources claimed.

Meanwhile, several tribesmen have pledged to take revenge on the Taliban for murdering their relatives.

The commissioner, however, said the government would urge people to forgive the Taliban to re-establish peace in the region.

"We will hold a grand jirga at Malakand level to help people forgive following the return to peace. We are slowly re-establishing the writ of state," he said, while adding that the government had not reached a final decision on the fate of Swat Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah. (ANI)