ISLAMABAD: To check rising incidents of robberies and car thefts, the police have advised the residents of Islamabad to depute a security guard in their streets besides putting in place barriers at their (streets) entry and exit points.

But the CDA removes the barriers as they are not only against the civic agency’s rules but in clear violation of the Supreme Court’s directives.

The Supreme Court, in a suo motu action, had directed the CDA to remove all roadblocks and submit a compliance report periodically.

Haji Rafique, a resident of Sector I-10/1, while talking to Dawn said that police had devised a workable plan to check rising crime especially car lifting.

“In 2013, the police told the residents to park their vehicles inside their houses as a part of precaution to avoid car theft,” he said adding due to space issue it was not possible for the residents to park their vehicles on the premises of their house.

Police have devised a plan to check rising incidents of robberies, car theft

At one time the police officials used to knock at the doors late at night to ask the residents to remove the car from the street, he said.

“They even punctured the tyres of their cars if they found them standing in the street,” he said.

Maqbool Ahmed, another resident of the sector, said to avoid tension between police and the residents of the area, it was decided to appoint a security guard in every street.

“Moreover it was also decided to erect barriers on both ends of the streets which will remain open during daytime, but at night they will be kept closed,” he said.

“However for the last few months enforcement team of the CDA has made it a habit to remove the barriers and confiscate the iron rods,” he said.

“The CDA usually launches its campaign in middle class area where people cannot afford to hire security guard but ignore posh sectors,” he said.

Residents of the federal capital have appealed to the police and the civic agency to devise a strategy to deal with the issue.

The Sabzi Mandi police SHO, Lal Din, while talking to Dawn said it was a big issue, referring to removal of barriers by the CDA.

“We have sent a letter to the CDA to stop the operations against the barriers because they have been playing important role in decreasing the crime especially car theft but CDA does not listen to us,” he said.

“I will send another letter to the CDA in this regard,” he said.

The spokesperson for the CDA, Ramzan Sajid, while talking to Dawn said that the Supreme Court in its ruling had clearly mentioned that any kind of encroachments, non-confirming use of buildings and barriers would not be allowed in the city.

“CDA takes action against the barriers and then submits report to the apex court. Operation is going on all over the city without any discrimination and so far 370 roadblocks have been removed from the city,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015

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