LAHORE, Jan 3: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Tuesday expressed ‘displeasure’ over five dacoity-cum-murders that took place on Monday.

Taking personal notice of the incidents, the CM has sought explanatory reports from the Lahore operations police chief and DPOs of Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Kasur. He directed the police officials to submit him a report within 24 hours.

The dissatisfaction has come in less than three weeks of a strong warning by the CM. Presiding over a Punjab police meeting here, the CM had said that the DPOs would be removed (either sacked or transferred to the federal government) if they failed to control the deteriorating law and order.

Among the latest incidents which attracted CM’s attention is the death of groom Ghulam Nabi, who was shot by dacoits in Imamia Colony when he reached close to his house along with his bride.

Four more people, Rana Shafi and his son, Irshad Bibi and Ghazanfar, were killed by robbers in Kot Abdul Malik, Allahabad and Kamoki.

There has been a sharp increase in crimes against property for some months, especially in Lahore and its suburbs where an abnormal upsurge had been recorded in vehicular crimes.

For instance, a police source said, at least six people had been killed by robbers in Lahore in the last 10 days. Punjab IGP Ziaul Hasan Khan had also admitted in a meeting that the crime rise in Lahore had disturbed the overall crime figures in the province.

The Punjab police record reportedly says that a total of 1,318 dacoity cases, 5,086 robbery cases, 19,363 theft cases, 119 kidnapping for ransom cases and 3,245 cases of vehicular snatching were registered from Jan to Nov 30, 2005. Booty worth around Rs 1.40 billion, including 3,000 cars and motorcycles, was looted in Lahore last year.

Meanwhile, Sheikhupura range DIG Pervez Rahim Rajput has suspended Ferozwala SHO Ghulam Gilani, investigation incharge Zahid Hussan and Factory Area SHO Ghulam Abbas for failure to control heinous crimes in their areas.

The DIG also ordered dismissal of inspector Ali Iftikhar Jafri for corruption and inefficiency.