KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar has claimed that with the help of ‘proactive policing’, street crime in Karachi have been brought ‘under control’ and major achievements have also been made against bandits in katcha (riverine) areas.

Speaking at a press conference at the Central Police Office (CPO) on Monday, he said the recovery of three Hindu traders and the recent elimination of a dacoit gang led by Imdad Bhayo in Kashmore was a major achievement.

He also claimed that around 80 to 100 bandits wanted to surrender before the police.

A proposal was also under consideration on the directions of President Asif Ali Zardari to give 50 acres of agricultural land to the female family members of each dacoit who surrendered so that they could ensure their livelihood, he said.

He admitted, however, that there would be some ‘complications’ for the dacoits who surrendered as crimes committed against individuals would be pardoned by heirs only.

He was of the view that if a criminal wanted to live the “life of a gentleman”, he should be given a chance.

Accompanied by Home Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon and Karachi police chief Imran Yaqoob Minhas, the home minister said that a perception had been developed among the people that ‘outsiders’ were involved in crimes in the metropolis.

He said no crime could be committed without the support of the locals.

Meanwhile, IGP Memon said that during the last six months, 72 citizens were shot dead by robbers over resistance and the police had killed 22 muggers and arrested 65.

He claimed that there was a decline in robbery killing cases.

Regarding operation in riverine area, he said that the provision of drone technology had given ‘tactical advantage’ in locating hideouts of bandits in the katcha areas where the police had saved 188 people from kidnapping.

He said 32 bandits had been killed in encounters in Sukkur, Ghotki, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Shikarpur districts while four policemen were also martyred.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024