Six law enforcement personnel killed last week

Healthcare, working hours and low salaries some of the pressing issues

LAHORE: At least six personnel of the law enforcement agencies, including four police officers, were martyred in three different incidents in Punjab during the last week.

In the first incident that took place in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kot Mubarak, District Dera Ghazi Khan, one personnel of Elite Force was killed during an encounter with notorious Ladi robbers gang while two criminals along with one passer-by named Muhammad Hussain, were also killed during an exchange of fire with police. The martyred officer was identified as Muhammad Suleman Jarwar.

The other incident was reported in the Rajanpur area near Arbi Tibba in the jurisdiction of Rojhan police station. Four officials including two officers of Border Military police and two constables of Elite Force embraced martyrdom in an exchange of firing between Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) suspected militants.

In the third incident, a constable was martyred in Sheikhupura. Constable Asif Ali was shot dead while foiling a robbery bid. Police serve as the frontline of the state in its fight against anti-social elements and terrorists.

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At least 1,400 officers of the Punjab Police have sacrificed their lives and thousands injured in the line of duty since 1970. Police’s role has magnified after the start of the war on terror.

The officers even of the rank of additional IG and DIG have also been targeted. It is highly commendable that their morale is still very high. They still perform their duty diligently whether the public gathering, pickets, patrolling or inside establishments despite knowing that they could be the target of an attack at any time.

However, unfortunately, their grave impending issues have never been addressed. Whether it is healthcare, duty hours, leaves or low salaries, their issues remain unaddressed. Neither the government nor the senior police officers bother to take up their issues seriously.

Public complaints: Once again, the complaints of police officers not being available to the public to be heard for their complaints have been identified by senior police command.

Reportedly, four months later once again, the Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz Kahn came hard on them. Recently, he conveyed to them at a high-level meeting that their behaviour added up to the burden on his office. In July, he had written to the officers to mend their ways and make sure to remain accessible to the public.

This was the attitude of top command. The worse was the situation at ground level. IGP Nawaz had ordered SHOs to remain in police stations for the public. He had also installed CCTV cameras for monitoring purposes. However, internal accountability had found many of them violating the orders.

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Police’s job is mainly related to public dealing. The officers shying away from interacting with them further tarnishes the department’s image. The officers need to realise and internalise this basic fundamental of their duty.

During the previous week, another gruesome incident of murder of five members of a family over a minor property dispute was reported. The incident occurred in Batapur. The parties had been in conflict. Police were aware of the dispute as an FIR had also been registered a few months back.

A few days later of this incident, an incident of heavy exchange of fire between two rival groups outside Ferozewala Katchery was also reported. The case was also triggered because of old enmity.

Such gruesome cases are rampant in the city. The government and law enforcement agencies need to take up the matter seriously to identify the factors that pushed people to butchering each other and take steps to counter these.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2019.