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Local police force accused
of felling trees
PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Residents of northeastern Baghlan province have
accused the local police force of illegally felling their trees for sale and
using them as fuel.
The force was established in the province less than a year ago. Initially,
the force collected usher from residents, but now it has started cutting
their trees.
"Local police are stationed here without any permission from residents,"
said Mohammad Aslam Wardak, a tribal elder from the Dand Ghori area of
Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital.
He assaulted the policemen for intimidating people, felling their plants and
seeking revenge on their opponents. The elder said the government had
not taken them into confidence ahead of creating the force.
Mohammad Juma, from the Shahabuldin village, claimed the policemen cut
200 of his trees and took them to their homes. "I have reported the matter
to police time and again, but so far no action has been taken."
Haji Afzal, an elder from the Dehna Ghori area, said the local police made
money by cutting people's trees and selling them.
A provincial official confirmed the problems being faced by residents at the
hands of local force. A crime branch police officer, who requested not to
be named, said local police were involved in cutting trees. However, he
said they were unable to prevent them.
Baghlan's deputy police chief, Sayed Zaman Hussaini, said they were
looking into public complaints. He added the offenders would be punished in
accordance with the relevant law.
Police spokesman Javed Basharat expressed his unawareness about the
involvement of the local police in illegally chopping trees. He said a training
programme for the force members had been arranged.
A spokesman for NATO-led forces in Baghlan said the local police did not
abide rules and regulations and were thus adding to their concerns. He said
most of local police officials were dressed like Taliban and could not be
recognised.
of felling trees
PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Residents of northeastern Baghlan province have
accused the local police force of illegally felling their trees for sale and
using them as fuel.
The force was established in the province less than a year ago. Initially,
the force collected usher from residents, but now it has started cutting
their trees.
"Local police are stationed here without any permission from residents,"
said Mohammad Aslam Wardak, a tribal elder from the Dand Ghori area of
Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital.
He assaulted the policemen for intimidating people, felling their plants and
seeking revenge on their opponents. The elder said the government had
not taken them into confidence ahead of creating the force.
Mohammad Juma, from the Shahabuldin village, claimed the policemen cut
200 of his trees and took them to their homes. "I have reported the matter
to police time and again, but so far no action has been taken."
Haji Afzal, an elder from the Dehna Ghori area, said the local police made
money by cutting people's trees and selling them.
A provincial official confirmed the problems being faced by residents at the
hands of local force. A crime branch police officer, who requested not to
be named, said local police were involved in cutting trees. However, he
said they were unable to prevent them.
Baghlan's deputy police chief, Sayed Zaman Hussaini, said they were
looking into public complaints. He added the offenders would be punished in
accordance with the relevant law.
Police spokesman Javed Basharat expressed his unawareness about the
involvement of the local police in illegally chopping trees. He said a training
programme for the force members had been arranged.
A spokesman for NATO-led forces in Baghlan said the local police did not
abide rules and regulations and were thus adding to their concerns. He said
most of local police officials were dressed like Taliban and could not be
recognised.