Robbers, muggers have a field day on Eid

Despite claims of deploying 15,000 personnel, police fail to protect citizens from street crimes

KARACHI: Robberies and street crime remained rampant during Eid-ul-Fitr despite much trumpeted security plan announced by the Sindh inspector-general of police (IGP) only days before Eid. Around 15,000 police officers and personnel were deployed to provide security cover during Eid but CCTV footages of several incidents showed dacoits breaking into homes, muggings on the streets at will and without any fear of police. Citizens were also injured in firing incidents.

Six armed robbers broke into the house of a trader, Moiz Anjarwala, in Katchi Memon Cooperative Housing Society in New Town area on Friday morning, and held his family hostage at gun point. They remained in the house for over half an hour and took mobile phones, laptops, LCD TVs, cash, jewellery and other expensive items worth nearly Rs10 million. The family apprised New Town police of the incident. The CCTV footage of the incident shows the suspects loading looted items in a car. Their faces are clearly visible in the footage but the police have yet to arrest them.

On the same day, unidentified men destroyed the United Bank Limited (UBL) ATM machine near Char Minar in New Town area in an attempt to take out cash from the machine. The police was nowhere to be seen during the robbery bid. When New Town SHO Mithal Bargari was contacted to ask about the incident he tried to cover up the matter.

Meanwhile, Gulshan Iqbal SP Shah Nawaz Chachar was off duty. He left for his village to celebrate Eid but surprisingly no other officer was given the charge during his absence. Street crimes prevailed in Gulshan Iqbal area as well while one family was looted at the doorsteps of someone's house as they got off the car. The CCTV footage of this incident surfaced as well but no arrests have been made so far.

Besides, in various incidents, robbers opened fire on citizens who resisted robbery attempts. There were also several incidents which went unreported as the victims were fearful of approaching the police. Citizens expressed the concerns that an infantry of 15,000 police officials and personnel supposedly posted for the security failed to protect them.  They appealed to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to safeguard them from street crimes in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2019.