‘Wake-up’ call: Law enforcers to go after sleeper cells in the city

Crime rate has gone down by 70% in two years, claim law enforcers

KARACHI:

As the law enforcers evaluate the progress made two years into the Karachi operation, they realised the presence of 'sleeper cells' as the biggest threat to its success.

Sleeper cells is a term used to define those criminals who are fully assimilated in the society, hold regular jobs and attend university, but act only in specific terrorist attacks.

At a press conference at Karachi Police Office on Saturday, AIG Mushtaq Mahar recalled the success of the law enforcers in the past two years. He claimed that kidnappings, extortion, target killings and acts of terrorism have gone down by at least 70 per cent, adding that the operation will continue until the remaining 30 per cent are also nabbed.

"There is 70 per cent decrease in overall crime in Karachi now if we compare it to the Karachi of about two years ago, and its credit goes to the police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies," said Mahar. "We are now also introducing e-technology in the police department to make the department more efficient while we are also computerising the records of all the criminals and linking it with the jail."

On investigations into high-profile cases, Mahar said the number of military courts in Karachi is likely to increase and they will oversee all such cases. "Accountability among the ranks and file of the police department has already begun and 1,000 policemen have been blacklisted," he pointed out. "These policemen will never be posted as SHO, SIO, SO or head muharirs."

Several policemen have laid down their lives protecting the city, said Mahar. "So far, 232 officials and personnel of the police have sacrificed their lives in the two years of Karachi operation," he said, admitting that incidents of street crimes are still a challenge for the police.

Mahar pointed out 34 spots in the city where streets crimes are rampant. He assured, however, that the police are trying to establish Rapid Response Centres in these areas with the help of the civil society. One such centre in Clifton will be functional by September 20, he added.

"A special cell has already been established to deal with mobile phone snatchings," said Mahar. He quoted a Gallup survey to share that 70 per cent of the people are in favour of the operation and that other surveys suggested a significant decline in crime rate. "Property value in Old City areas has increased by 80 to 90 per cent due to peace," he said, quoting traders.

Mahar promised to improve the community policing system after collaborating with all the industrial associations. The records of all private security guards will be verified through biometric systems while the records of arms shops will also be computerised within six months, he added.

A Rangers official also added that the Karachi operation was necessary due to the worsening law and order situation. "The good thing is that there are very positive results of the Karachi operation. Even everyone is happy and want it to continue," said Colonel Amjad of the paramilitary.

According to him, 27 Rangers jawans have lost their lives in the last two years of the operation. "We are determined [to fight] despite the martyrdom of our jawans," he added.

The traders' community also appreciated the ongoing operation. "The business community feels much secure due to the rapid response by law enforcers, particularly in cases related to extortion and kidnappings, as compared to the past," said industrialist Siraj Qasim Teli. "We are ready to bear the expense, particularly related to the education of martyred police and Rangers jawans," he announced.

Statistics: Gauging success in last two years:
Operations conducted by police         3,500
Operations conducted by Rangers     6,081

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2015.