PESHAWAR, June 6: District Charsadda, the birthplace of the non-violence movement in the region, is fast becoming a breeding ground of extremist elements. Their presence can be felt everywhere, but they can be seen nowhere. Their prime targets are music shops, women and education institutions. This ugly situation is not only adding to the miseries of the general public, but also affecting micro level income generating activities.

The district, comprising 49 union councils with fertile farmlands, has played a significant role in the political arena of the region before and after the partition of the subcontinent. Led by Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan, popularly known as Bacha Khan, a group of volunteers launched the Khudai Khidmatgars (Servants of God) movement in 1929. The volunteers devoted themselves to the cause of eradicating violence and promoting peace in the entire region, including Afghanistan.

A significant feature of the movement was its adoption of non-violence, promotion of nationalism and eradication of social evils from the society. More emphasis was given to forbearance and tolerance. The volunteers were taught not to resort to violence and also not to carry weapons. They were liberal in their thoughts and beliefs. The area was considered to be a stronghold of nationalist and liberal forces.

But the area now is becoming a hotbed of extremism. A deadly suicide attack in the town on April 28 killed at least 32 people and injured many more. A drive launched against music shops in the South Waziristan Agency about two years ago has now spread across the province. And in different parts of Charsadda, several music shops were blown up last month. Shopkeepers have received warnings not to allow female customers into their shops.

Music shop owners received pamphlets about one and a half months ago to close down their “sinful” business, otherwise action would be taken against them. They have hired watchmen to protect their business and property.

As if the spate of terrorist activities was not enough to scare CD shops owners to wind up their business, many of them have received warnings from the local police to close music shops, which many see as projecting the cause of extremists.

“The area SHO asked shopkeepers to wind up their business and find alternative income generating activities,” said a CD shop owner in Rajar, an area close to the hometown of the federal interior minister.

Music shop owners said they had obtained loans from banks to start their business and if the government or the Taliban paid them money to clear their bank debts or provided them with alternative livelihood earning opportunities, they would voluntarily wind up their business.

About nine bomb explosions, mainly targeting music CD shops, occurred in the district last month.

A shopkeeper in the Charsadda bazaar said he had hired a guard for Rs3,000 per month. He said his family was under pressure to close the CD shop and start some other business.

Ironically, police and other agencies have failed to expose main culprits who scare citizens and enforce their own brand of Shariat. The Awami National Party, the heir of non-violence movement enjoying popular support in the district, seems to be on the back-foot. The ANP and other liberal forces are silent on the emerging situation and reluctant to mobilise people against hardliners.

However, Charsadda ANP president Bashir Umerzai disagreed with the notion of penetration of the Taliban into the area and blamed the government and its agencies for the situation.