Criminal elements have field day ahead of Eidul Azha

Around 17 cases of goat robbery and fraud involving cattle traders have occurred across the city

LAHORE: As Eidul Azha approaches with cattle and money trading hands, criminal elements are having a field day and increasing their illegal activities.

Police records are piling up with incidents of robbery, theft and fraudulent practices which have taken place in various parts of the city.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz Khan ordered the force in Lahore to remain vigilant till the end of the Eidul Azha holidays. According to police records, around 17 cases of goat stealing, fraud and robbery have been reported in Iqbal Town, Johar Town, Sundar, Sabzazar, Township, Nishtar Colony, Manawan, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Band Road, Sagian Bridge, Shahdara, Baghbanpura, Shera Kot and Mughalpura.

So far, 15 people have been prosecuted for obstructing traffic by selling cattle illegally on main roads.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Ismail Kharak said that seven markets have been set up by the district government for the sale of sacrificial animals. However, cattle traders often bring their animals to the more posh areas in hopes of better sales.

“In the rich areas, criminal incidents and fraudulent practices take place in which traders become victims.”

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The SSP said that in several instances, it has been observed that fraudsters give fake notes to cattle traders when buying the animal. “After handing over the money, the criminal makes a run for it.”

In Iqbal Town, a cattle trader was robbed after a fraud gave him a drink of laced juice. The SSP added that the police, and especially the Dolphin Squad, have been active when it comes to arresting such criminals.



“In this case, the Dolphin force and Police Response Unit also arrested a gang of cattle thieves in a timely operation.”

The Dolphin Squad reported that a few unidentified armed men were stealing cattle on the banks of the river near Sagian Bridge. The Dolphin Squad reached the spot, along with other teams, and the accused started firing at members of the force. Three of the gunmen managed escape, while two were arrested.

The squad confiscated five goats, mobile phones, pickups and weapons from the suspects.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Malik Liaquat said that as Eidul Azha approaches, crowds of people gather at cattle markets and 200 wardens have been deployed in the seven facilities which were set up in various parts of the provincial capital.

“Wardens have also been deployed on the parking stand near the markets.”

He said illegally established markets across the city are causing traffic disruption.

“Traffic wardens have caught a number of traders who have been selling livestock on the main highways, but the district administration also needs to take stern action.”

The CTO further said that traffic police are cooperating with Lahore police to catch criminal elements. In Green Town, traffic wardens arrested two goat thieves who were caught stealing nine such animals.

The owner of the goats reported the incident to the on-duty patrol officer who chased down the suspects along with fellow wardens..

Initial investigations against the accused revealed that five cases had already been registered against them during Ramzan at different police stations of the provincial capital.

The SSP appealed to citizens to tie their sacrificial animals inside their houses or in a safe place after purchasing them so they can be safe from theft.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2019.