Illegal arms fuelling anarchy in Helmand

LASHKARGAH: Possession of illegal arms and their open display is one of the main reasons behind the prevailing lawlessness in the southern province of Helmand, people believe.

Although opium cultivation, presence of drug mafia and large number of anti-government elements are also the main hurdles in bringing peace to the restive province, residents say presence of illegal arms with civilians is the major contributor in deteriorating security in the region.

Several districts, like Kajaki, Sangin, Musa Qala and Greshk of the province have been scene to clashes between government, NATO troops and the Taliban militants since the beginning of the current Afghan year.

Muhammad Esa, 25, resident of Baghran district, said majority of people in Helmand were worried about safety of their lives and property.

Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating security situation, Esa said: "Everyone is possessing arms. We can’t distinguish security personnel, Taliban and gangs of thieves and robbers."

It is difficult to separate peaceful citizens from miscreants in such a situation, said the 25-year-old.

Taking advantage of the chaos, many youths used to demand money and opium from people at gunpoint in the name of Taliban, said Haji Muhammad Shah, elder from Musa Qala district.

But a dweller of Lashkargah, capital of the province, rally in favour of the possession of arms by people, saying prevailing lawlessness was forcing them to keep weapons to defend themselves against robbers and thieves.

"We would never keep arms in our houses if there was writ of the government and police had control over the gangs of robbers and thieves," he argued.

Collection of arms from people would be possible only if writ of the government was extended to all parts of the province, said member of the Wolesi Jirga Haji Muhammad Anwar.

"The measure, he said, would need strengthening of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and police," he said when asked when it be possible to collect illegal arms from people.

At the same time, he agreed main reason behind the law and order situation in the province was the existence of arms with people in their houses.

The government has so far failed to collect arms from people notwithstanding an all-out support by the international community in the shape of programmes such as DDR and DIAG.

Arms had been amassed by people and commanders during the two and a half decades of war and civil strife.

It is now posing threat to peace and security in every part of the country and creating problems for the government struggling to do away with the menace of terrorism and extremism.