Robbers enjoy fearless rule in Scheme 33
A CCTV camera screen grab shows a citizen shooting two alleged robbers. One of the suspects later died. Photo: Express
A one kilometer patch of road in Scheme 33 has become a lawless zone where robbers enjoy a free rein, looting motorcyclists, motorists, and even shopkeepers without any fear of police, according to local residents. Sachal police station, in the limits of which Scheme 33 falls, has seen change of many SHOs, but the law and order situation remains unchanged.
Robbers are operating in an organised manner as they do a recce to monitor the timing and duration of police patrols and location of pickets. This is the reason that they commit robberies and escape easily.
According to details, robbers have set up a reign on a one-kilometer stretch of road, from Madras Chowk to Samirah Chowk, in Scheme 33. Most robberies are committed between evening and past-midnight when police are not present there. Several people have been deprived of motorcycles, mobile phones, cash, and other valuables over the past two weeks. Robbers are also out in the morning hours to commit crime when people go work.
According to the area residents, there are many residential societies between Madras Chowk and Samira Chowk in which thousands of people live. The robbers-infested road is the only major access to these societies.
Residents believe that robbers come either from the villages and small settlements on the outskirts of Scheme 33 or from the Super Highway side where they have their safe haven. They operate in gangs, mostly four in numbers riding two motorcycles. They come on stolen motorcycles, leave them at the crime scene and escape on freshly snatched motorcycles, according to the residents.
Area people have appealed to the Sindh chief minister, IGP, AIG Karachi, and DG Rangers Sindh to provide security to Scheme 33 and end the rule of robbers.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2022.