ON June 6, my son-in-law was looted at gunpoint by two motorcyclists who took away his laptop, mobile, and wallet in Federal B Area. They also took the car keys and tossed them before speeding away.

Fortunately, the keys landed on the hedge of our house. I felt there must be fingerprints of the criminals on car keys and this may help Rangers to trace them. I with all the care took the car keys, put them in a plastic bag, and rang up Rangers on their helpline 1101.

To my surprise, 1101 was not responding. However, after four to five attempts, I sent a text message to 1101, asking Rangers what I should do as there was no response from the helpline.

In response, I got a message from 1101: “Thank you for contacting Pakistan Rangers (Sindh). Your identity will not be disclosed. Your safety is our aim. Received at 08.41.48am, 6.6.2016.” To date, nobody turned up or called us.

I have observed that street criminals dress as office-goers, wear helmets so they are not recognised and move in a group of two or three and strike.

My son-in-law went to Samnabad police station to lodge an FIR. The SHO and duty officer heard his story but did not register the FIR. Instead, all we got from the police was a copy of the report of the crime.

My son-in-law called the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and narrated the story to their official. The lady said the CPLC was unable to do anything about the fingerprints on the keys. However, she said she would block the cellphone if provided the EMIE number.

On June 7 at 7.30am or so, my son-in-law was again deprived of his wallet, cellphone at Tariq Road intersection. This time he did not try to report the matter as he already had a bad experience with the police.

I request the authorities concerned to look into this matter and the increasing street crimes in Karachi.

Tarique A Khan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2016