Serious charges of murder and sexual assault have been levelled against some Arbakies bringing back memories of the much-hated local police in Dr Najibullah’s regime.
Serious charges of murder and sexual assault have been levelled against some Arbakies bringing back memories of the much-hated local police in Dr Najibullah’s regime.In 2010, the government employed local police forces known as Arbakies (ALP – Afghan Local Police) under the Ministry of Interior Affairs in the most insecure provinces like Kunduz, Maidan Wardak, Baghlan, Paktia, Uruzgan and Helmand.
With the planned withdrawal of international troops, the government is optimistic the local police will plug holes in security. But public opinion has veered away from the ALP. Serious abuses including rape and murder have been levelled against some members of the force. Ibrahim Akhundzada, the head of Uruzgan provincial council told Pajhwok Afghan News last week that an ALP commander, identified as Shujaee, killed at least 11 civilians and has since gone underground. “This commander has tyrannised locals in the area,” he said.
According to Akhundzada, the commander has strong links with international forces and has participated in several military exercises with them. He is “out of the control of the government”, he claimed, citing the fact that Shujaee, captured three times for crimes he has perpetrated, was released each time.
Criminals in uniform
Abdullah Hemat, the spokesman of Uruzgan province, and Fareed Ayel, the spokesman of the security commander, have confirmed the facts, though Ameer Mohammad Akhundzada, the governor of Uruzgan, referred to Shujaee as a former member of the ALP who is “still accused of the assassination of the local people; he has escaped and efforts are going on for his capture.”
In July, Killid had reported the case of an 18 year old who was sexually assaulted by an Arbaki in the Tobrakash area of Kunduz.
The Head of the AIHRC (Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission), Seema Samar, observes: “The local police are factors in cases related to insecurity and violence; they don’t obey the central government.”
The AIHRC report cites the case of a Taleb commander called Esfandyar who had killed a woman accused of adultery in Badghis province and is now a member of the local police.
A former officer in the Najibullah army, Ghulam Sidiq Kamwi, believes no one is learning from past mistakes. “The Arbakies (nearly everywhere) have become undisciplined; they could cause tribal fights since they are appointed by the local people.”
