Armed guards being used to harass people: KCCI
The city is left to the mercy of powerful men roaming around in SUV with coterie of guards who beat up anyone at the instigation of their employers, a major stakeholder of the city, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said on Monday.
While life and property were pawned to the muggers, the dignity of the people of city was at the feet of people who roam around with armed guards in vehicles having dubious number plates. No police officer ever dares stop them to ask where the original number plate is during the registration checking drive.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Idrees expressed deep concerns stated that the worsening situation puts a big question mark over the performance of law enforcing agencies (LEAs). The law enforcers failed to control street crime, however, a new curse has descended on the people of Karachi, said Idrees.
"Nowadays, the agonies of the public have intensified further. A new trend has emerged in the city where people and commuters are being fearlessly intercepted and beaten by armed gunmen and security guards," he said.
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He said many such offenders are either escorting or guarding vehicles bearing government number plates, fancy number plates or no number plates
In a statement, he mentioned that KCCI has constantly been receiving complaints in which people and members of business community are being beaten by armed gunmen, security guards with no proper identity. "If the business community is not safe in such a big city, then how will the general public be safe," he asked.
"Incidents pertaining to assault by private gunmen have become a routine on the streets of Karachi where any influential person orders his guards to beat innocent members of the public. This happens nowhere around the world," he asserted. Idrees stated that such incidents clearly indicate how weak and helpless the city's law enforcing agencies have become.
He stressed that in order to effectively curb rising street crimes and provide a safe and secure environment to Karachiites, authorities have to revisit all the strategies being pursued to secure the streets of Karachi. "People were being looted, injured and even killed without any fear; even during broad daylight."
He urged police and Rangers to intensify patrolling and snap checking at some of the most sensitive localities of Karachi from where the street crimes were widely being reported.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2022.