Unabated crime: Insecure residents demand strong policing

Kallar Syedan has become a den of burglaries, kidnappings.

RAWALPINDI:

Kallar Syedan and its surrounding areas have seen a rise in criminal activities in the last few months, creating a sense of insecurity in the neighbourhood. Kidnappings for ransom, drug trafficking, house burglaries and robberies at gun point are becoming a routine matter in the area.

Recently, armed robbers looted cash, jewellery and other valuables worth Rs220,000 from the house of Idris Butt, a local resident. In another robbery incident, Malik Irfan saw cash, jewellery, electronic equipments and other valuables looted from his house. Armed robbers snatched thousands of rupees of cash from Chaudhary Taj, a resident of Mora Deha.

Nazir, a local trader, was also robbed at gun point in the same area. Police have been unable to recover the looted items or curb the incidents, raising speculations of their own complicity in such activities.

Residents appealed to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, IG Punjab and other higher police officials to resolve this matter and demanded the appointment of responsible police officials to control the situation.

Meanwhile, transfer orders of SHOs of Pirwadhai police station and Civil Lines police stations were issued on Monday. SHO Pirwadhai Police Inspector Muhammad Khan has taken charge of Sadiqabad Police Station, Inspector Saleem of Sadiqabad has taken charge of Civil Lines and Inspector Shaukat Hayat of Pirwadhai Police Station.

Inspector Hayat’s posting has raised some concerns as well. Recently, a large amount of explosive material was found stored in the warehouses of Gunjmandi area during his posting in the jurisdiction. The concerned SHO was suspended by CPO Rawalpindi and an inquiry was initiated against Inspector Hayat. However, nothing came out of that inquiry. Now, the responsibility of an important police station has been given to him.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2011.