Terrorising people: SHOs to regularly visit extortion complainants

Victims asked to install CCTV cameras, hire guards for own safety

PESHAWAR: The city police administration has devised a plan to clamp down on extortionists in the city.

As part of the plan, SHOs and DSPs of various police stations have been ordered by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mubarak Zeb to maintain a complete record of people who have received calls from extortionists since August.

The decision was taken at a meeting which was held last week at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines and chaired by the CCPO.  SSP Operations Dr Mian Saeed, SDPOs, SHOs and other officers attended the meeting.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, a police official said, “The decision to maintain a complete record was taken by the CCPO and SSP operations.”

He added, “All SHOs and rider squads have been directed to visit complainants in their respective jurisdictions on a daily basis.” According to the official, the complainants have also been asked to keep a register with them.

“Police officials will sign the register during each visit,” he said. “The register will be checked by the SDPOs on a regular basis.” The complainants have also been asked to install CCTV cameras at their residence and hire guards for their safety.

As per the police official, recent attacks orchestrated by extortionists outside the houses of businessmen suggest militants have become active.

House damaged

A house in Phase-I, Hayatabad was partially damaged in a hand grenade attack. According to the police, the house was owned by Hijab Gul Koki Khel. “The owner received a call from militants in Afghanistan on November 23,” an official of Hayatabad police said. “They demanded Rs50 million as extortion from him.”

According to the official, Koki Khel had constantly received threats from militants who called him using different SIM cards in Afghanistan.

He added, “In a separate incident, Shohar Khan, a resident of Inqilab Road, received a message from a militant group demanding extortion.” The official said the group asked him to come to Afghanistan so that the matter could be resolved.

He added, “The CTD has registered an FIR and are investigating the matter.”

Extortionist remanded

An anti-terrorism court sent an extortionist on physical remand for four days. Qari Matiullah, a resident of Garhi Sher Khan, had demanded Rs10 million as extortion from Khalid Khan, a trader. He also threatened to kill Khalid if he failed to fulfil the demand.

After registering an FIR, the police managed to arrest the accused and produced him before the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2015.