PESHAWAR, March 3 The fragile peace agreement between Tehrik Nefazi-i-Shariat Muhammadi and NWFP government is in jeopardy as apparently 'dissident' militant commanders in the ranks of Swat Taliban are reluctant to lay down arms.

Residents of Swat valley, quoting sources in Taliban, said that Maulana Fazalullah was facing stiff opposition from some of his key commanders over endorsing the peace agreement, inked between TNSM and government. They said those were pressurising Fazlullah for not giving further time to the government for enforcement of Sharia law in Malakand region.

According to locals two major pressure groups within Taliban -- one led by Shah Dauran and the other by Ibne Amin -- are out to sabotage the peace agreement as their followers are still brandishing weapons on roads, streets and bazaars in different parts of Swat.

Sources said Ibn Amin controlled Matta subdivision while Shah Dauran was hiding in Miandam to control the areas from Qambar to Barikot and Malam Jabbba.

During a visit to Swat, locals quoting sources in Taliban and TNSM in Matta told Dawn that both the commanders had showed reservations over the peace initiatives, saying laying arms meant surrender to government.

One of many other conditions set by Taliban for a permanent ceasefire is that those internally displaced persons who are unacceptable to them wouldn't return to their hometowns. They also want guarantee from all those people whose relatives were beheaded, kidnapped or hanged by them in different public places for what they called 'reformation of society'.

“What is the guarantee that relatives of the victims wouldn't take revenge from Taliban,” locals questioned, adding that the government would no more be able to establish its writ in the entire Swat valley as Taliban had distributed land of many influential people among their supporters and well-wishers.

Taliban are of the opinion that landlords have occupied lands and properties of the poor by force in the past and that is why these lands have been returned to the actual owners.

Observers say that in case of IDPs' return the influential Khans would definitely oppose Taliban's decisions and strive hard to get back their properties which would again lead to infighting.

Militants are still active and regularly checking vehicles when and wherever they want on the pretext that they have information about the movement of weaponry for security forces.

Sometimes they threaten through their illegal FM radio that the agreement is inked between TNSM and government which doesn't mean that Taliban would stop targeting prostitutes, thieves, musicians and opponents.

They are making emotional speeches not only on the FM radio but also in the local mosques and wherever they deem fit at public places in order to keep the tempo of their mission intact.

Sources close to Ibne Amin said that militants in the upper Swat areas wouldn't accept a legal system in which murderers were not murdered, thieves' hands were not amputated and adulterers were not awarded lashes at public places.

They admitted that Ibne Amin was not a scholar or graduated from a religious seminary but his decisions against the criminals were acceptable to locals, saying that the chronic cases pending in the civil courts for the last many years were decided in 'Taliban courts' within few days.

Most of the people said that Pakistan Army had to act on directives of the federal and provincial governments as President Asif Ali Zardari had so far not approved the agreement.

Local people cannot dare to speak a single word against Taliban even before their relatives and close friends. The opponents of Taliban are also avoiding discussing these issues with people fearing repercussions.

Though people are returning to their homes, but they are also searching alternate sources of income and residential facilities in other districts so that they could easily shift there in case of emergency. The IDPs coming back to their homes are common people, labourers, peasants and government employees. However, the activists of political parties are reluctant to come back.

A number of people said they were trying to sell their properties and shift to safer places as the violence-hit district was not safe. “We have not resources to take arms against anyone,” they added.