Law enforcement: Police to form anti-riot platoons

KARACHI:

The Karachi police have decided to form full-fledged anti-riot platoons to counter the growing threat of vandalism.

Addressing a darbar (gathering) at the Garden police headquarters on Monday, Additional IGP Karachi, Iqbal Mahmood, directed the divisional SSPs and SPs to take steps to train police officers on how to perform during protest rallies.

Recently there have been a string of arson and vandalism incidents during the demonstrations held by different political parties and other organisations in Karachi.

On September 21 alone, six cinemas were torched by rioters protesting against an anti-Islam movie.

At the meeting, the Karachi police chief directed the officials to provide helmets, bulletproof jackets, teargas guns and a 12-bore rifle to each of the policeman deployed at rallies.

He stressed that the use of submachine guns or other automatic weapons should be avoided against protesters.

The existing stock of anti-riot gear should be checked and any requisition should be submitted. The anti-riot platoons will be formed at the level of police headquarters as backup support to police stations.

Mahmood also asked the zonal DIGs to arrange shooting practice session of at least two officials of every police station at the police firing range. All police officers from DIGs to constables would be trained.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2012.