KARACHI, April 16: The City District Government Karachi is all set to start community policing in the metropolis to enforce all municipal laws at the level of its 178 union councils.

Well-placed sources told Dawn that the bylaws to introduce community policing in the city have been prepared and it would be on ground in two months.

Explaining the reasons behind the idea, the sources said that without police help it is difficult for the city government to remove encroachments or take action against violators of other municipal laws. This has forced the city government to think of a separate police force for municipal-related issues.

The sources said a recently-created department of Municipal Services Group of Offices will be responsible for the project while people would be inducted as inspectors on contract basis in order to make the project viable. They said that an inspector would be deputed in each of the 178 union councils to enforce municipal rules and regulation and take action against those committing municipal crimes.

The Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO) under Section 142 allows the local government to appoint inspectors to exercise jurisdiction over the specific category or categories of offences in the assigned area designated as blocks or wards.

According to the Section 146D of the SLGO, the general powers of inspectors are in case of any serious threat to the public health, safety or welfare or danger to life and property, the inspector may, in his area of jurisdiction, in addition to imposition of fine or initiating prosecution under this ordinance suspend any work; seize goods; seal the premises; demolish or remove work; and issue directions for taking corrective measures in the time specified by him.

Talking to Dawn, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal said that the city government's Community Policing project aimed at implementation of municipal rules and regulation. "Law and order will not be our subject," he maintained. He said that the defunct Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had its own police but after the introduction of devolution of power plan system in 2001 there was no such force in the city government.

The nazim said recruitment would be made on town basis and priority would be given to those residing in the jurisdiction of the concerned town. He said that the SLGO permits any city government to raise its own police to enforce municipal rules and regulations.

The sources said that maintaining smooth flow of traffic on busy thoroughfares of the metropolis will be also a responsibility of the community police.