Bandit rule

Kandhkot is one of the most lawless towns in Sindh province – in the entire country in fact. Part of district Kashmore that borders the province of Punjab, this town is plagued with crimes like killing, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, robbery, theft and what not. No wonder the town makes it to the headlines of national bulletins quite too often.

The recent murder of a primary schoolteacher offers a glimpse of the reign of crime and terror in the unruly town. The teacher risked his life and drove into a village – declared as no-go area by gangsters – to perform his duties at the school where he taught. In a video clip, the slain teacher, armed with a double barreled gun, had expressed his determination – while going to his school along with his young students – to defy the bandit rule and not budge from his responsibility of imparting education. Since the video clip had gone viral on social media, it was known to all – including the police – that a showdown loomed. Still the police only sprang into action after the spirited teacher had lost his life to the gangsters – only showing that these law enforcers were either scared or complicit. Unfortunately, a town that has grabbed media focus – well, for all the wrong reasons – has failed to grab attention of the men at the helm of affairs in the province. The murder of a “petty” schoolteacher has proved small enough for any heads to roll.

The schoolteacher’s murder must not go unaddressed. Instead, it must galvanise the authorities into a well-coordinated, across the board action against criminals and gangsters of all hues and shades. It would sure be a long haul for which the law enforces would require specialised training as well as latest arsenal and high-tech gadgets. It’s time to rid the citizens of this long-persisting menace and ensure their right to safety and security.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2024.

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