Darkness descends on Expressway

As the sun dips below the horizon, a sense of dread settles over the Baloch Colony, Manzoor Colony and adjoining areas, where an unprecedented spike in street crimes has turned nightfall into a time of terror. This reign of horror has robbed citizens of their freedom to roam, confining them to their homes. Depriving people of valuables at gunpoint has become a daily routine, while police seem to have worn 'the invisible cloak' when such incidents take place.

An employee of the Express News — Mohsin left office on his motorcycle for home at 2.30am when two armed suspects also riding a motorcycle stopped him at gunpoint near a private university on Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway and snatched his cell phone, wallet, containing cash, ATM card, office card, driving licence and important documents and fled the scene.

As per the survey by the Express News, the residents of Manzoor Colony said that the snatching robbing incidents begin at around 9pm in their area and continue till morning and there is no police patrol during this time. The residents claim that the police are allegedly involved in such criminal activities, as they stop patrolling. Gambling activities are also on the rise under police protection at Awami Chowk, the residents mentioned adding, robbers also tried to rob a police officer Yaseen Gujjar a few days ago, who is also the resident of the same area.

Meanwhile, there was an exchange of fire between a policeman resident of the area and a street criminal.

Residents complain that gutka, mawa and other such substances are being sold openly round the clock 'under police protection'.

The precincts of Mehmoodabad, Tipu Sultan and Baloch Colony police stations are said to be the safe haven for criminals who have no fear of being checked or arrested as the police allegedly patronise them.

If anyone complains, faces harsh treatment either from the criminals or by the police as a result citizens avoid going to the police station to lodge a complaint despite losing valuables. This way a number of robbery incidents go unreported. Residents say, if a robbery victim goes to the police station to lodge a complaint, he is made to sit for hours while the police behaviour is like the complainant is criminal.