Operation against armed wings of societies on the cards

Decision taken to curb rising incidents of clashes between land grabbers and mafias

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi police have decided to launch a grand operation in the affected areas of Saddar division to curb the rising incidents of armed clashes among land grabbers and mafias.

Police sources said that during the operation, armed wings of illegal private housing societies and property dealers will be taken to task.

They said that it has also been decided to introduce a strict regime for issuance of arms licences to property dealers and tycoons in the future.

The sources also said that the noose will also be tightened around police officers who were surreptitiously backing these armed wings.

Police sources told The Express Tribune that the armed conflict in the Saddar division has increased over the last few years as compared to the three divisions of the district. Dozens of armed clashes have been reported in the Saddar division during the last one year, the sources said adding that these clashes claimed several lives besides inflicting damage to the property.

According to the sources, during the investigation of different armed conflicts, it transpired that a number of real estate tycoons have their armed wings. The purpose of these armed wings is to gain the upper hand over opponents in the real estate sector.

According to the police, not only do these armed wings have a large number of prohibited modern weapons, but a few police officers were also patronising these groups. The sources said that action was taken against a police officer posted in the Saddar division for his alleged links with the land mafia.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2022.