Court takes action against narcotics trade

SSP Hyd to submit a report on police actions

HYDERABAD:

In a case of citizen activism against the substance abuse and the sale of mainpuri and gutka, the Sindh High Court Hyderabad Circuit Bench has put SSP Hyderabad Dr Farrukh Ali Lanjar on notice to submit a report. Petitioner Muhammad Usman Soomro contended that the police are conniving with the drug peddlers as the illicit and health hazardous trade keeps spreading in the district, especially in Qasimabad.

"Drugs are being sold openly in Qasimabad and the police are being paid bribes weekly and monthly," he alleged. "The SHOs are seen protecting the drug dealers." During the hearing the bench quizzed the police officials from Qasimabad taluka about measures being taken to curb these crimes.

The officials, apparently, failed to satisfy the court with their answers, prompting the bench to direct SSP Hyderabad to submit a report about the police actions against narcotics. The officials maintained that the shortage of policemen constrained their efforts after which the court directed the district police to write a letter to the IG Sindh police to address the shortage.

The police have been asked to submit the report in question and a copy of the letter which will have to be written to the IGP. The hearing was adjourned for three weeks.