• 3,500 policemen deployed in markets

KARACHI: As law enforcement agencies count their successes in the ongoing operation against terrorists, banned outfits and militant wings of political and religious groups, Karachiites continue to face rampant street crime that has resulted in the loss of at least four lives during the first half of Ramazan and raised fears among them for the second half.

Although official data shows a decline in mobile phone snatching during the past fortnight, motorcyclists suffered the most as 1,083 of them lost their two-wheelers during this period. Eighty-two motorbikes were snatched at gunpoint and 1,001 were stolen from different parts of the city in the first 15 days of the holy month, according to an official citing figures compiled by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee. In the corresponding period before Ramazan, 76 motorcycles were snatched and 998 others stolen.  

Muggings may increase as Eid draws near, fear officials

The official said that while mobile phone theft and snatching continued in the holy month at a staggering pace, figures relatively stayed at the lower side during Ramazan when compared to the fortnight before the holy month. In all 1,123 cases were reported, including 476 cases of mobile phone snatching and 647 cases of mobile phone theft during the past couple of weeks, while 1,451 cases were reported during the 15 days before Ramazan. The cases included 581 mobile phone snatchings at gunpoint and 870 mobile phone thefts.

Yet even more shocking is the fact that at least four people were killed for resisting armed mugging attempts in the city during Ramazan.

3,500 policemen deployed in markets

However, Karachi police chief Mushtaq Mahar sees the current situation as “stable” while comparing the figures collected during the past two weeks, but warns that there is always a possibility of rise in such crimes during the last days of Ramazan. “I think the situation is stable so far,” he said. “But we need to be more vigilant during last 10 days when families go for shopping and cash changes hands at a much faster pace due to Eid shopping.

“We have chalked out plans for better security and active policing and for that extra 3,500 policemen have been deployed in commercial areas and marketplaces. We are confident of meeting the challenge.”

Police officials agree that there is always a rise in street crimes during Ramazan, except for the year 2015 when security agencies, along with the business community, announced that the operation against criminals restored peace and public confidence, resulting in record-breaking Rs72 billion sales before Eid.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2017