KOHAT, Aug 16: There is a need to treat criminals for psychological disorders besides understanding the multiplicity of crime motives like old enmities, prejudices and social factors.

This was stated by DIG police (Kohat region) Ghulam Mohammad while speaking at a press conference at the Police Club highlighting the performance of the police.

Stressing the need for learning about cultural values, the DIG said that because of these values, criminals were regarded as guests by tribesmen and were provided shelter. Efforts, he said, should be made at every level to treat them humanely.

Terming public cooperation vital, Mr Ghulam Mohammad said that it was difficult to control crime without the community’s help.

Focussing on achievements of the police of the Hangu, Karak and Kohat districts during the 14-day-long drive against proclaimed offenders and illegal weapons, the DIG police said that they had arrested 205 proclaimed offenders, 80 Kalashnikovs, 11 other assorted assault rifles, a G-3 rifle, 144 rifles, 73 pistols, 121 chargers, one sten-gun, five mortar shells, four dynamite sticks, 17,342 cartridges and 39 bottles of tincture.

All the SPs, DSPs and SHOs of the police stations of the three districts were present on the occasion.

He announced that a committee had been constituted to award promotions and certificates to police officers, who had performed well during the drive against criminals.

He said that it was a difficult task to arrest criminals in this part of the country, where most of the settled areas were in close proximity with the tribal areas, adding that criminals commit crimes and then take shelter in the tribal areas.

He said that the police was unable to enter into tribal areas and could only request the political administration to hand over the criminals. But in most of the cases the political authorities themselves settle the cases through arbitration and imposition of fines.

Earlier, speaking at the quarterly crime control meeting, he urged police officers to continue the campaign against anti- social elements with the same vigour that they had displayed during the current drive.