In Karachi, 90 people killed while 16,421 deprived of valuables in 2019: CPLC

Railway Police arrest two suspects for possession of 735 smuggled mobile phones

KARACHI: At least 90 people were killed in separate incidents while 16,421 citizens were deprived of their mobile phones, motorcycles and cars during the first three months of the current year.

According to a report released by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), in January, 21 people were killed in the city, in February 38 people were killed and in March 30 people were killed.

Detailing the crime statistics from January 1 to March 26, 2019, the report said that a total of 3,424 mobile phones were snatched in January, 3,159 in February and 2,991 in March. The report further stated that 1,966 motorcycles were reported stolen or snatched in January, 1,990 in February and 1,857 in March. A total of 135 cars were snatched or stolen in January, 96 in February and 231 in March.

According to the report, eight extortion complaints were registered in the three months, and two robberies were reported.

Two arrested

Meanwhile, in a press conference on Sunday at the Cantt Station, the Railway Police claimed to have arrested two men near Karachi Cantt Station for possessing smuggled items.

Railway SSP Shehla Qureshi said, "Police were busy monitoring and checking suspects at Traffic Point Railway Station when they came across a silver car, bearing registration number BKB-202, that was leaving the station". The car was stopped for suspicious activity, she said.

The man in the driving seat introduced himself as Mustafa, son of Sikandar, and the man seated in the back seat introduced himself as Manzil, son of Qasim Khan. When the police asked to search their car, the two suspects became apprehensive. On inspection, the police found three travelling bags in the boot of the car which contained 735 expensive mobile phones.



The suspects were asked to produce papers confirming that the Customs duty was paid on the phones failing which, they were arrested.

The two men are residents of New Town and Liaquatabad and own a shop in a mobile market. The seized mobile phones were brought from Faisalabad to Karachi via Millat Express.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2019.