The riverine katcha belt of Sindh has for decades remained a troubled region where law-enforcement struggles to establish full control. Stretching along the Indus, the area’s dense forests, shifting riverbanks and limited access have provided safe havens for heavily armed dacoit gangs. These groups not only terrorise local communities through kidnappings, extortion and violence, but also undermine the authority of the state and hinder economic and social development.
Despite multiple operations by police and Rangers over the years, the problem persists. The reasons are structural: difficult terrain, lack of modern equipment, limited roads, political interference and absence of sustained governance. When operations end, the old patterns re-emerge, leaving residents trapped in a cycle of fear and insecurity.
A lasting solution requires a comprehensive strategy. The government must launch development programmes — roads, schools, health units and economic opportunities to integrate the katcha region with the settled areas. And there must be strict accountability to ensure that no political or tribal influence shields criminal networks. Finally, community engagement is essential so that locals become partners, not victims, in reclaiming their land.
The issue of the katcha dacoits cannot be solved by force alone, nor by temporary action. Only a combination of sustained security, development and political will can end this longstanding menace and restore peace for thousands of families living on the edges of the Indus.
A few days ago, nationalists, civil society and political figures took a peace convoy to the katcha area to hold a mass meeting, reaching a settlement. The bandits welcomed the peace convoy and expressed their desire to surrender. The authorities should take effective steps to further this move.
Mohsin Larik
Ubauro
