Punjab bids farewell to crime-riddled 2020

Flurry of transfers do little for depoliticising police

LAHORE:

For Lahore’s Ameen Ali*, every new day dawns with the same rut — visiting the police station to lodge a complaint against the culprits who stole his car and are now demanding a huge amount in ransom.

It was almost 22 days back when unknown men attacked him in the remit of the Nawab Town police station and stole valuables, including his car, at gunpoint.

The bereaved resident said that police did not register a case until the “high-ups” were approached to intervene, adding that he is yet to get any of his valuables and car back.

“The culprits are openly demanding Rs200,000,” said Ali, expressing dismay that criminals in the city have become devoid of any fear.

“Despite the strict orders issued by then CCPO Lahore Muhammad Omar Sheikh, police seem to be protecting the criminal elements. Those who were sworn to protect the public have miserably failed to restore the confidence of people.”

Similar sentiments were articulated by businessman Ahmed Khan*, who alleged that neither a case is registered nor any action is taken without “bribe or influence”.

Despite receiving billions of rupees in funds and modern facilities in the year 2020, it has emerged that Punjab Police has failed miserably in curbing robberies, murders, kidnappings for ransom, vehicle theft and snatching.

The outgoing year saw a flurry of transfers of officers across Punjab, including Lahore, which did not yield any encouraging results.

In a testimony to the dismal law and security situation decried by citizens, billions of rupees in cash and gold jewellery, vehicles, motorcycles and other valuables were reportedly looted in broad daylight.

Despite the government’s narrative to “depoliticise” police in Punjab, officers have been facing serious allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

The rising crime rate is primarily being attributed to the alleged inexperience and poor strategy of top officers.

The official Punjab police statistics draw a grim picture with more than 500,000 cases of various crimes, including 3,700 civilian deaths, 12,000 kidnappings and over 3,000 rape cases.

Residing in recent memory is the gruesome and widely reported sexual assault incident on the motorway. The public outcry was beyond the police’s imagination.

After immense public pressure spurring the force into action, dozens of raids were carried out but no arrest could be made. Eventually, the accused reportedly himself appeared before the police.

The year did come down harshly on citizens in Punjab as the crime rate spiralled. Owing to fear of criminals and police’s lacklustre performance, various groups appealed to the prime minister and chief minister Punjab to improve the security situation and end the “Thana (police station)” culture. They complained that citizens were humiliated at police stations upon seeking justice.

It seems that newly appointed IG Punjab Inam Ghani also could not bring any change in the modus operandi of the police and play any important role in reducing corruption and crime during the coronavirus-hit 2020.

*The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2021.