Demonstration drama: Criminals and police unite to save DSP

After citizens protest against police official, lawbreakers rise to his defence.

SUKKUR: For the beleaguered DSP of Mirpur Mathelo, who was accused of harbouring criminals at a rally held on Monday by citizens, a show of support was staged on Tuesday by his peers in the force and more than two dozen criminals.

The pro-DSP demonstration took place at the Clock Tower Chowk, the same venue as Monday’s rally. The demonstrators had protested against an increase in crime in the city and said that dens of drugs, gambling and ‘obscenity’ were flourishing with police complicity. They had blamed DSP Fida Hussain Chandio for providing a cover for the criminals.

On Tuesday, more than two dozen criminals and policemen in civilian clothes organised a rally from Bhittai Chowk and chanted slogans in favour of Chandio. The protesters were reportedly led by Yakoob Chandio and Abdul Ghaffar Chandio, who allegedly run gambling dens.

The protesters defended Chandio’s record, claiming that the crime rate has decreased considerably since he took charge and alleged that elements who don’t want peace in the city were opposing the DSP.

While Chandio told The Express Tribune he was unaware of Monday’s rally, he did confirm that a rally was held in his favour on Tuesday. When he was asked whether criminals and police officers had attended the rally, he denied this and said that it had been organised by citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2012.