Critics of Arbakai (or ALP) in the North of Afghanistan

Segments of the media continue to post stories of abuse by militia groups operating in the north of Afghanistan.  The target of their criticism are the militias or "arbakai" that are abusing the population and running amok with no accountability to government authorities.  Some critics state that the new Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative is nothing more than a government-funded militia program.  While the coalition forces see the ALP as a method of gaining security in rural areas there is great concern that private militia armies will grow out of the program instead.  Read more in "How to Gauge Victory (in the North)", Registan.net, January 12, 2011.