IMPORTANCE OF LEVIES IN ADDITION TO

POLICE

By: Imran Hamid Sheikh, PASDeputy Commissioner/

Commandant Levies Force Upper Dir

SCHEME OF PRESENTATION

Introduction

Why Levies in Addition to Police.

Multifarious tasks performed by Upper Dir

Levies (A Case Study)

Why both forces should not be merged.

Justification of Risk Allowance for Levies.

INTRODUCTION

After the British conquest of Swat, Dir, Chitral, Bajawar

and Malakand, a collective force was established as

Swat Levies, which included therein the Dir Levies,

Chitral Border Police and Malakand Levies.

Levies is working under the administrative control of

SAFRON Division Government of Pakistan as well as

Home & TA Department, Govt. of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa.

The administration of Levies is governed by Levies

Rules (Amended), 2013.

WHY LEVIES IN ADDITION TO

POLICE

THE FOREMOST DUTY OF POLICE IS TO PROTECT LIFE, PROPERTY

AND LIBERTY OF CITIZENS (ART. 4 OF POLICE ORDER 2002)

HOWEVER, POLICE HAS TO PERFORM MANY ADMINISTRATIVE

DUTIES AS EXTRA LOAD LIKE:

a) Protocol Duties with dignitaries

b) Security duties with Administrative officers/ Heads of line departments.

c) Protection duties of important installations like Grid stations etc and places of public gathering like NADRA offices, Passport offices etc.

d) Accompany Executive Magistrates during Anti-encroachment operations, price control/quality assurance raids, Poppy eradication activities etc.

e) Accompany those who handle emergencies of

purely administrative nature like strikes and

misbehavior by college students, demonstration

against excessive load-shedding, traffic jams,

removal of public nuisance etc.

f) Permanent deployment with departments like

Forest, mines & minerals, Fisheries etc.

g) Miscellaneous significant tasks like accompanying

officers who check examination centers, over

charging by transporters, troublesome

developmental schemes, enforcement of Sec.144

Cr.P.C etc.

These important tasks, which are otherwise

responsibility of Deputy Commissioner as Head of

District Administration, not only affect performance

of Police BADLY but also NOT performed well

because Deputy Commissioner can’t issue orders

to Police for deployment as per his plan of action.

In pre-devolution era, D.C/D.M was equipped with specified/defined role in Police rules, 1861 which was abolished with the ill-conceived devolution of power plan, 2001

No mechanism was devised to fill the gap when D.C/DCO, as representative of Govt., needs force on urgent basis to enforce administrative authority/writ of Govt.

WAY FORWARD

Option 1: Re-establish old role of D.C in Police rules

Option 2: Place a contingent of uniformed force at the disposal of D.C as Levies/ Administrative Police

OPTION 2 IS MORE FEASIBLE BECAUSE IT WILL ALLOW:

POLICE TO FOCUS ON CRIME-FIGHTING WITHOUT ANY EXTERNALITY

D.C TO EFFECTIVELY HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

OPTION-II (FORCE BESIDES POLICE) NOT A NOVEL IDEA

Internationally, many countries keep separate force for auxiliary functions under the direct control of Administrators/Mayors called “Municipal Police”.

Some of such countries are listed here:

AlbaniaAlgeriaArgentinaAustriaAustraliaBrazilCanadaChinaEstonia FranceGermanyGreeceHungary Italy

LatviaMexicoNamibia NetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaCitySloveniaSpainSouth AfricaSwitzerlandTurkeyUnited States

Contd…Even in Pakistan, many departments have their

own implementation force like:

1. Excise & Taxation Department

2. Pakistan Customs Service

3. Prisons Department

4. Civil Aviation Authority

5. Pakistan Railways

6. Anti Narcotics Force

7. Forest Department (Enactment has been passed)

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF OPTION-II

(LEVIES AT THE DISPOSAL OF D.Cs IN MALAKAND DIVISION)

DIR UPPER MODEL – A CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Dir state was merged in Pakistan in 1969

Initially its Headquarter was Dir Khas but in 1977 it was

shifted toTimergarah

In 1996, Dir was bifurcated into two districts – Dir Upper &

Dir Lower

Before bifurcation, Dir Levies was controlled by one

Deputy Commissioner at Timergara as Commandant Dir

Levies

In 1996, Dir Levies was also bifurcated accordingly

Total Strength: 1238 (1038 Federal; 200 Provincial)

COMMAND STRUCTURE

Deputy Commissioner Commandant

Addl. D.C Dy. Commandant (Admn)

A.Cs of Sub-divisions Dy. Commandants (ops)

Addl. A.Cs Dy. Commandants (Admn)

Subedar Major Operational Commander

Sub Divisional Levies Officers Assist Dy. Comdts

SPECIALIZED UNITS OF DIR UPPER LEVIES:

1. Quick Response Force (QRF)

2. Levies Intelligence Branch (LIB)

3. Levies Police (LP)

4. Levies Traffic Management Squad (LTMS)

5. Levies Signals Company (LSC)

6. Kote Masters

7. Salaami Dasta

8. Band Party

9. Anti Narcotics Squad (Trained by Excise & Taxation)

FUNCTIONS

All administrative tasks assigned by its command to enforce writ of the

Government

ANTI ENCROACHMENT ACTIVITIES

The levy force actively performs anti- encroachment

duties with Administrative officers/ Municipal officers

State land exceeding 150 kanals (worth millions of

rupees) have so far been saved from encroachment

by pre-emptive night operations of Levies.

POPPY ERADICATION

Almost 500 - 600 kanal land has been cleared from

far flung darras (passes) such as karo Dara,

Nehag Dara, Sultan Khel Dara, Usherai Dara and

Kohistan (Sheringal) from poppy cultivation with the

help of Dir Levies.

Poppy Cultivation has been completely rooted out

from Upper Dir with the help of levy force which

could never otherwise be possible.

ERADICATION OF TIMBER SMUGGLING

Levy force is playing pivotal role in eradicating timber smuggling shoulder to shoulder with police and Army and providing effective support to forest department.

DFO Dir Upper openly appreciated Levies during conference on various forest issues held on 03-12-014 at District Assembly Hall Dir Upper that, in 2014 alone, total 5586 cft timber was confiscated by Dir Levies and total fine Rs.2520909/- was submitted in Govt. exchequer as result of such confiscations.

Moreover, there are total Nine (09) joint check posts of Levies and forest department which are proving visible resistance against timber smuggling.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Levies assist Police in Traffic management. There is huge number of NCP vehicles causing frequent traffic jams.

Currently, 54 Levies jawans perform traffic management duties in different bazaars of the district daily

Total Rs. 20,65,722 in year 2014 alone has been submitted in government exchequer because of the levy traffic check posts.

During various political processions and protests of various kinds, Levies force has effectively managed traffic under direct supervisions of DC/ Commandant, ACs/Deputy Commandants (Operations)

PRICE CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE RAIDS

During price checking raids in various bazaars, the Magistrates never bother Police due to Levies.

There is permanent deployment of levy force in each bazaar for looking after any unpleasant happening , emergency situations and keeping an eye on condition of cleanliness.

On average, Rs.0.8 (M) per month is submitted in Government Exchequer as a result of such raids

ENFORCEMENT OF Sec.144 Cr.P.C

Stopped movement of snow & sale of cut fruits used by

locals causing epidemic of diarrhea. As a result, sharp

decline was observed in diarrhea patients in 2014

summers.

Confiscated 583 sub standard water bottles/ expired

soft drinks from different bazaars of the district.

Confiscated 134 illegal SIMs from Barawal Bazaar.

Ransacked all stationery shops to search banned

material

DEPLOYMENT WITH ARMY/POLICE IN SENSITIVE AREAS

50 jawans of Levies are deployed with Pak Army at

Pak-Afghan boarder

Levies is also performing night patrolling from 7pm

to 12 am and from 12 am to 7am (in two shifts) in

the most sensitive boarder area of the District with

Police.

13 jawans of Levies have embraced Shahadat till

date in the line of duty

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

In post devolution era, Police does not share DSRs with Administrative officers due to which there is no mechanism of flow of useful information in time to District Administration.

Levies has chalked out local intelligence network “LIB” (Levies Intelligence Branch) just like special branch in police.

LIB is expanded in the whole District and effectively communicates any incident occurring in any part of the District within no time and also communicates advance information, where required.

VIPs SECURITY

There are total 69 levy men deputed with

parliamentarian / Political figures / elders and

Lashkar Commanders which are more in number

as compared to the number of Police men

deployed for the same purpose.

SECURITY OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

Besides all the courts in the District, Dir Levies is also

performing security duty with all other Government

Departments in Dir Upper i.e. Education, Health,

Agriculture, District Accounts office etc .

Total 58 levy men are performing security duty in

above mentioned government departments

This support not only enhance output of departments

but also establishes strong linkage between District

Administration and line Departments.

CIVIL DEFENCE / RESCUE FORCE

On number of occasions, it has been witnessed that levy

force left no stone unturned in supporting Civil Defense

department and DDMU during calamities or disasters. No matter if it is land sliding or building on fire, floods or

excessive snowfall specially on Lowari Top , Levy force is

readily available on one call to assist Administration. Levies have been imparted proper civil defence training.

The services of levy jawans in the district are also

being utilized in the courts of DC, ADC, ACs , AACs

and Tehsildars in the district as DFCs/Naib courts for

service of summons etc.

Police is never bothered for such like tasks.

SERVING AS DFCs/NAIB COURTS IN VARIOUS COURTS

SECURITY OF FOREIGNERS

Dir levies is also performing security duty (Total number of 09 levy Sepoys with 01 Hawaldar) with expatriates (Korean Engineers) serving in Lowari tunnel project.

FORESTATION

Besides performing duty on joint check posts with

forest department, reasonable strength of Dir

Levies has been deployed in the forests of

Sheringal and Dir sub Divisions along with forest

guards for keeping steady watch and stopping

any illegal activity pertaining to deforestation.

SPECIAL TASKS

During snow fall season, a specific number of levy

strength is deputed on South portal of Lowari Tunnel

in case of road blocks and Traffic.

Implementation of problematic development

schemes like that of plantation at vulnerable hill of

Kass. The mass movement of hill was prevented by

plantation and constant supervision of hundreds of

plants for which the local populace was not ready

due to political differences.

Checking of Examination centers with Education

Department officials.

POLIO DUTY

More than 300 levy men are engaged in Polio

Eradication Campaigns (As team members).

Hence, the departments are relieved to perform their

routine work even during Polio campaigns.

They are also utilized by the District Administration for

security of transit teams and refusal coverage.

Owing to these efforts, the district is Polio free from

the last three years.

SECURITY OF IMPORTANT BUILDINGS

Security of two grid stations at Wari and chukiyatan

Security of PTCL exchanges

Security of DHQ, THQ hospitals

Security of District Malkhana

Security of Hill Park

Security of DC/AC offices & houses

DUTIES ON MAIN BRIDGES

Reasonable strength of levy men have been

deputed on all bridges ranging from Akhagram to

Lowari Top on the main NHA Road to secure the

bridges;

DPO showed his inability to do so due to shortage

of strength and other security related functions of

Police.

DUTIES DURING FESTIVALS/ELECTIONS.

During various festivals like Eid, Muharram and

any other religious or social events, Levies assists

Police in security duties.

During Elections, the code of conduct was

implemented in true letter and spirit by Levies

OUT DISTRICT DUTIES

Levies is fully supporting police force and

other LEAs.

50 levy jawans from District Upper Dir

were sent to Peshawar to control

Muharram processions in 2014.

ESCORT DUTY

During the movement of foreigners of various

NGOs , special squads of Dir Levies perform

escort duty as and when required just like Police.

Similarly in case of visit of VVIPs like Prime

Minister, Chief Minister or Governor etc special

squads of Dir Levies remain stand by.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MINOR ACTS/ LOCAL AND SPECIAL LAWS

In order to prevent illegal fish hunting , 07 levy men

are kept standby to support Fisheries department

during raids. In 2014, 67 cases against illegal fishing

were registered & culprits were caught red handed.

Similarly, 07 levy men are performing duties with minor

mineral officer to stop illegal mining

05 Levies personnel are deputed with drug inspector

to enhance his output

PESCO staff is provided security during their anti-

hooks campaigns

WHY SHOULD BOTH FORCES (Police & Levies) NOT BE MERGED

OR PLACED UNDER THE COMMAND OF

DPO ?

The idea of merger/ Command of Levies by DPO is void ab initio as it is against the basic principle of existence of Levies

Police should emerge as a specialized force for crime fighting & Levies should remain a generalized force to assist Administrators where they require force during administrative emergencies.

Levies is trained by Army units in a different way from Police. Having merged two different forces from two different perspectives, trainings and grooming; cannot be successful in any way.

The Seniority issue will be extremely serious in case of merger of two forces, it will create complications and Levies force will be demoralized.

Levies has its own service structures/hierarchy, equipped with weapons/vehicles, hence parallel to Police; so can’t be merged in Police.

JUSTIFICATION FOR

RISK ALLOWANCE FOR LEVIES

GROUNDS

1. Being uniformed force, they are as vulnerable as any

other LEA

2. Even more susceptible because they roam around with

civil officers without following any SOP for movement of

forces

3. Security duties of Levies are as risky as that of Police

4. The risk factor for Levies is critical because of their poor

self defense logistics including vehicle jammers, bullet

proof jackets, inferior weaponry etc

5. High court has also ordered for provision of risk allowance

to Levies equal to Police

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION

If risk allowance for Dir (U) Levies on the pattern of Police is approved, extra burden over exchequer (per year) will be as follows:

Federal Levies: Rs. 86.340 (M)

Provincial Levies: Rs. 12.267 (M)

Total: Rs.98.608 (M)

(which is peanuts as compared to the services rendered by them)

PICTORIAL GALLERY

THE FIRST LETTER ISSUED

Thanks