article_snippet: Punishment attacks by paramilitaries were common during The Troubles and were often supported by local communities.
article_snippet: Punishment attacks by paramilitaries increased after the 1994 ceasefires.
article_snippet: Punishment attacks by paramilitaries began in majority republican communities but loyalist paramilitaries soon began carrying out Punishment attacks by paramilitaries.
article_snippet: During the Troubles, most of Punishment attacks by paramilitaries took place in North and West Belfast.
article_snippet: What began in republican areas was copied by loyalists who went on to carry out more punishment beatings and shootings than republicans.