Rahim Yar Khan: Unusual rise in kidnappings
Gangs use girls as bait to lure victims from across Pakistan.
LAHORE:
Law-enforcement agencies should launch a combined operation against criminals in Rahim Yar Khan district to curb the rising incidence of kidnappings, a report compiled by an intelligence agency has recommended.
Pointing towards the substantial increase in such incidents, it said that as many as 147 incidents of kidnapping for ransom were reported in the district over the past three months with 21 person kidnapped from tehsil Sadiqabad alone.
Accusing the police of deliberately avoiding launching a crackdown against criminal elements because of their firepower superiority, the report pointed towards a collusion between junior level police officials and criminals.
It said these policemen warned criminals ahead of a crackdown.
The criminals were planning to abduct some well-off traders and transporters from Rahim Yar Khan and adjacent areas, the report added.
Referring to the criminals’ hideouts, the report said that recent floods had flushed them out of their usual hideouts along the Indus River, adding that they were forced to take refuge in various relief camps.
But after the flood water receded, they returned to their previous hideouts and resumed their activities, the report added.
Another report, which gives details of the origins of these criminal elements, points out that their communities supported them because they carry out their activities outside their immediate vicinity.
These gangs, the report says, specialise in ‘kidnapping by cheating’. The criminals use women to make telephone calls to people all over Pakistan.
These girls then trick the victims into getting into a romantic relationship over the phone and invite them to Rahim Yar Khan. The home department has issued a circular to Inspector-General Police (IGP) of Punjab to take immediate action against these criminals.
The IGP has also issued a circular to DPO Rahim Yar Khan and other officials concerned to launch an operation against such groups.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2011.
Law-enforcement agencies should launch a combined operation against criminals in Rahim Yar Khan district to curb the rising incidence of kidnappings, a report compiled by an intelligence agency has recommended.
Pointing towards the substantial increase in such incidents, it said that as many as 147 incidents of kidnapping for ransom were reported in the district over the past three months with 21 person kidnapped from tehsil Sadiqabad alone.
Accusing the police of deliberately avoiding launching a crackdown against criminal elements because of their firepower superiority, the report pointed towards a collusion between junior level police officials and criminals.
It said these policemen warned criminals ahead of a crackdown.
The criminals were planning to abduct some well-off traders and transporters from Rahim Yar Khan and adjacent areas, the report added.
Referring to the criminals’ hideouts, the report said that recent floods had flushed them out of their usual hideouts along the Indus River, adding that they were forced to take refuge in various relief camps.
But after the flood water receded, they returned to their previous hideouts and resumed their activities, the report added.
Another report, which gives details of the origins of these criminal elements, points out that their communities supported them because they carry out their activities outside their immediate vicinity.
These gangs, the report says, specialise in ‘kidnapping by cheating’. The criminals use women to make telephone calls to people all over Pakistan.
These girls then trick the victims into getting into a romantic relationship over the phone and invite them to Rahim Yar Khan. The home department has issued a circular to Inspector-General Police (IGP) of Punjab to take immediate action against these criminals.
The IGP has also issued a circular to DPO Rahim Yar Khan and other officials concerned to launch an operation against such groups.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2011.