Rising crime rate plagues Gujranwala

Over 1,500 robberies committed in district in last two months

LAHORE:

More than 1,500 robberies were committed in the district in the last two months.

Over 800 motorcycles were stolen.

There were 76 incidents in which women were sexually abused. Those who were abused included minors as well.

Police claim to have registered more than 80% of cases, and the accused involved in those cases were arrested.

The way the crime wave has swept across the district in the last two and half months shows that the rate of crime might break previous records.

The crime wave has unnerved the people of the district. Fear reigns the district.

People wonder how they can defend themselves against armed robbers.

Whether it’s a factory or a shop or market nobody knows when an armed robber would appear and rob people of their hard earned money and valuables. So far Rs30 million has been looted by the robbers.

Gangs of motorcycle thieves are also very active. Over 700 of motorcycles have been stolen in the district in the last two months. If we compare the rate of motorcycle thefts in the last two months with the first two months of last year than it is clear that the rate of crime this year is higher than what it was at the beginning of last year.

Worst of all, 76 cases of child abuse and rape have been registered by the police.

CPO Syed Hamad Abid said that more than 80% of the cases have been challaned after the arrest of the accused. Police are working day and night to arrest the gangsters. The accused from other districts are conducting robberies in our district who are being arrested.

Dozens of motorcycles have been recovered and handed over to the plaintiffs. Cash and jewelery have been recovered from the robbers, he said.

“We have pointed out places across the district where incidents were becoming commonplace. They have been declared vulnerable places and hidden cameras and security have been installed there to protect the citizens as far as abuse is concerned. It is difficult to identify such suspects. One has to keep an eye on such people in the area,” he said.

The official said that parents had to sensitize their children to be wary of strangers. The children must be taught not to take anything from a stranger. In this way the bad elements can be stopped from carrying out their bad deeds.

In January, some motorcycle riders robbed Ajmal Khan of cash. He was a vendor selling dried fruit. The robbery took place on the Sui Gas Road in the jurisdiction of the Civil Lines Police Station.

When the robbers had been fleeing, the vendor swore at them. This angered the robbers who returned and shot at the vendor, leaving him seriously injured. He was rushed to a hospital where he died of his injuries.

Exactly three days after this incident, Rana Imran, a mobile phone shop owner, was robbed of Rs80,000. When the robbers had been fleeing he raised an alarm hoping that someone in the market would intercept the robbers. This act of his made the robbers open fire on him, killing him on the spot.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2022.