Irresponsible armed groups are a serious threat to security in Afghanistan. In some instances, these gangs are no less headache to people than the anti-government elements. The lives and property of people are not safe from the evil of these groups in some regions of the country. They are not committed to any kind of rules and therefore perpetrate any atrocities with guns. Although Afghan people primarily in rural areas have long been calling for an end to the phenomenon, the government has so far failed to take on and stamp out the groups.
Afghan government has recently decided to legalize irresponsible armed men. A statement released by the National Security Council’s Press Office says that National Security Advisor Dr. Hamdullah Mohib and heads of security institutions discussed in detail the policy and procedure to regulate irresponsible armed groups and individuals, and approved the policy in principle, which is set to be presented at the next meeting of the National Security Council for final approval.
The new decision is a welcome development, but only when it is implemented. The adoption of a policy alone cannot neutralize the threat of illegal armed men, so practical steps have to be taken. While the government has recently arrested some commanders of these illegal militiamen, they have been freed after a while. The release of Alipur, a Hazara militia commander whose arrest sparked protests in Kabul and some other provinces, is just one latest example. Such contradictory behavior raises questions and doubts about the will and seriousness of the government towards irresponsible armed men. There is a concern that the government may act against the illegal gunmen just as an election campaign trail. If government leadership is serious about countering the illegal armed groups, it has to take legal actions against all of them without any distinction, thereby eliminating the enormous threat these groups are posing to the country now and in future. Getting rid of the irresponsible armed men is not easy, but not impossible if there is a strong will in the government. If the government is able to clamp down on their patronage networks within the government, and that the leading politicians give up backing them on ethnic and lingual grounds, Afghan forces can rein in these lawless armed groups. All efforts to dismantle these gangs can face serious challenges if the support of influential figures for them continues.