In the wake of the new year, Bahawalnagar is witnessing an alarming surge in street crimes, leaving residents grappling with increased incidents of muggings and robberies.
Disturbingly, the police seem powerless to curb the escalating menace, leading to growing public discomfort and a surge in citizen complaints.
In a recent string of robberies, a police security officer's residence was targeted, raising questions about the efficacy of law enforcement in the region.
The officer, Umair Nazir, stationed at the DPO office, fell victim to a harrowing incident where five armed bandits seized gold jewellery worth over Rs2.2 million, cash, prize bonds, mobile phones, and even the officer's personal pistol and wireless set.
The FIR for this incident was lodged after a 24-hour delay, further eroding public trust in the authorities.
The brazenness of the criminals was evident as they broke into the officer's house, holding the family at gunpoint, and looted valuables before making a swift escape.
The incident has not only highlighted the vulnerability of the public but has also cast doubts on the police's credibility.
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In another incident near the Dhaban area of Saddar police station, two bandits set up barricades and robbed ten victims of thousands of rupees.
Travellers named Imran and Rab Nawaz, were targeted by the bandits while en route to the vegetable market, recounting the ordeal of being robbed at gunpoint.
A separate incident unfolded within the jurisdiction of the Minchinabad police station, where two robbers targeted a Lahore’s resident, making off with Rs125,000.
Abdullah, the victim, faced the unfortunate incident while returning after attending an event.
In yet another incident under the Saddar Haroonabad police station, six to seven bandits forcefully entered the house of a landlord named Maqbool.
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The family was subjected to a terrifying ordeal as the robbers, armed and menacing, ransacked the rooms for hours, taking away seven tolas of gold jewellery and cash amounting to Rs1,672,000.
Tragically, violence erupted in the fifth incident when four bandits attempted to rob Kaleemullah.
The resistance from Kaleem led to a confrontation, resulting in him being shot in the left thigh by one of the robbers wielding a pistol.
The spate of criminal activities has prompted the police to initiate separate investigations into all the incidents. However, concerns about the district police's efficacy persist, with rising complaints and a weak grip on law and order. During the 90-day period, the district police received over 1,500 complaints, indicating a growing dissatisfaction among the public.
In a startling revelation during an online open court session, a complainant from Tehsil Chishtian accused each DPO appointed by political figures of receiving a hefty amount of Rs2.5 million.
Despite mounting complaints and allegations, the DPO neither took action nor refuted the salary claims in the online open court.
The appointment of a specific SHO at Saddar police station is identified as a contributing factor to the deteriorating law and order situation in Bahawalnagar.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2024.
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