Up in arms: Multan traders protest surge in robberies

Blame police of inefficiency; demand transfer of CPO

MULTAN: The trader community of Multan gathered outside the press club on Monday to raise voice against the police inability to control the rising incidents of robberies in the district.

“The increasing number of robberies and burglaries in Multan is the proof of incompetence of police,” said All-Pakistan Traders Association Chairman Khawaja Sulaiman Siddique while speaking to the traders during the demonstration.

“The situation has created panic among the traders as well as citizens,” he said, holding the acting city police officer responsible for the surge in theft cases.

He demanded that the provincial government transfer Multan City Police Officer Dr Rizwan and warned the traders would hold another protest at Pak Gate Chowk on September 27 (today) if their demand was not met.

Another businessman Mirza Naeem said robbers were roaming freely in the markets and traders had to suffer financial losses due to inefficiency of law-enforcement agencies.

He lamented the police help the robbers by not registering FIRs against them and also used delaying tactics.

Differing viewpoints

Multan CPO Dr Rizwan said a comprehensive strategy was being developed to nab robbers. He said a system was being installed at Rescue 15 Office that would enable the police to reach the site of incident within five minutes.

He added with the help of the new system, the data of the caller, including name, address and location, would be traced which will help in investigation.

In addition, Dr Rizwan said, check posts have been established at the entrance routes of the city, while police vans would also be provided to Rescue 15 personnel.

The CPO, however, denied any increase in robberies, claiming cases of robberies and burglaries have declined during the last one month. “The police have launched a crackdown against robbers and drug dealers, while more than 100 wanted criminals have been arrested.”

The traders ended their protest after successful negotiations with the authorities concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2016.