Combatting Katcha dacoits

Among other nuisances that Pakistan is currently plagued with, the escalating cases of katcha (riverine areas) dacoit have lately engaged the country’s law enforcement and spread mental and emotional harassment among people. The menace poses a serious threat to people by luring them into certain traps. These can range from men enticed into stimulating friendships by women, or in other cases, falling trap to monetary or other material incentives through deceitful means. As the victims proceed towards the guided physical locations, they are kidnapped and a hefty ransom is demanded of their families. Cases reported by local news agencies reveal that these dacoits are based in northern and central parts of Sindh and operate across the country, but mainly in Sindh and Punjab.

Katcha dacoit cases have been prevalent over the last few years, but they have been soaring since last year. In 2019, the Sindh and Punjab police collaboratively launched a crackdown in the provinces locating the criminals’ hideouts. However, there is a dire need for the operation to not only accelerate, but also improve the efficacy of the targets. In addition to citizens’ safety and the general law and order situation of the country, an improved systematic operation is required that addresses the protection and security of law enforcement personnel.

A number of police officers are reported to have been killed an injured in counter-shootouts, which is a serious hazard to how fast the security forces are falling in numbers. Not that the system lacks a sound mechanism to ensure security personnel’s safety, but strengthening the crackdown alone can foil the mushrooming of the menace.

Katcha areas in Sindh cities like Karachi, Larkana, Sukkur and Thatta must be evacuated, as these areas become hiding grounds for dacoits when an operation cleans up a katcha area from their hub in Interior Sindh. However, clean-up operations in Karachi frequently face resistance from local authorities that claim developmental work in progress in these areas. While police superintendents from certain areas of Sindh and Punjab have vaguely hinted at the presence of masterminds of dacoit groups, it becomes imperative that these be targeted. This will add another strategic step to the crackdown and prevent the proliferation of dacoit groups in other parts of the country where at this stage, channels exist to facilitate the supply of weapons to dacoit groups.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2024.

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