PARTS of upper Sindh and southern Punjab — particularly the riverine katcha areas around the Indus — have been transformed into no-man’s land, where even law enforcers fear to tread, and gangs of bandits literally call the shots. Unfortunately, even those tasked with keeping the peace are not safe from the criminals, as the abduction of five policemen, including an SHO, in Shikarpur’s Khanpur area on Wednesday illustrates. According to a report, the five officers were whisked away by bandits from the Kot Shahu police station in retaliation for the arrest of a wanted criminal in Sukkur a few days ago. This is not the first time law enforcers have been kidnapped by bandits. In fact, kidnapping for ransom has become an industry of sorts in Sindh and Punjab’s katcha areas, where innocent people are kept until their families cough up large sums to criminals. This is despite the fact that several operations have been launched against the lawbreakers, the most recent of which was started last month involving police, the Rangers as well as the military, under the aegis of the Sindh Apex Committee. But clearly, these steps have not been enough to break the hold of criminals over the riverine belt.

While the terrain in the katcha areas is indeed difficult, it is hard to comprehend how, in the modern age, security forces have failed to quell violence, and flush out the bandits. While criminals post TikTok videos and show off military-grade weapons, LEAs in both Sindh and Punjab have been unable to end the ‘dacoit raj’ in the riverine belt. The PPP, which ruled Sindh for the last 15 years, has much to answer for, as do successive Punjab governments, which have treated the southern part of the province as a backwater. The caretaker administrations have failed to tackle the problem, but the issue has been festering for years. Security agencies also need to explain how the bandits have access to modern weaponry more suited to the battlefield. Instead of sporadic efforts, a concerted plan is needed, involving both provincial administrations, to clear the katcha area of bandits and ensure that residents of the region live in peace. And while hardened criminals need to be brought to justice, the youth of the katcha belt should be provided socioeconomic opportunities so that they don’t turn to crime.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023