MUZAFFARABAD: Police have arrested at least 70 unregistered residents over the past week in various areas of Dadyal, Mirpur district, for violating mandatory registration rules, an official said on Saturday.
He said two landlords were also detained for harbouring individuals wanted in different cases in Punjab.
“We carried out coordinated search operations across urban and rural areas of Dadyal — including Khadimabad, Siyakh, Surkhi, Kundor, Bahari, Dagar, Baloa and New Town Housing — as part of our ongoing drive to keep the district free of crime,” Station House Officer (SHO) Rashid Habib Masoodi said.
He said at least 70 men from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were found living in private homes and makeshift camps without police registration, in violation of a law and oft repeated clear directives, and were subsequently taken into custody.
Under the Rented Premises Act, 2016, introduced following the launch of the National Action Plan, landlords, managers and even property dealers are required to provide information about tenants and other temporary residents to their respective police stations within 48 hours. The law aims to help police maintain a database, combat terrorism and crime, and facilitate investigations.
Similarly, hotel and guesthouse proprietors are bound to submit guest details within three hours of check-in.
Failure to comply with these rules can result in penalties, including imprisonment for up to six months and fines ranging between Rs10,000 and Rs100,000.
“Despite repeated public advisories, many people continue to ignore these instructions,” SHO Masoodi said, adding that separate legal provisions applied to those who harboured proclaimed offenders or fugitives.
“We recently invoked those provisions against two landlords in Kundor and Khadimabad, who had rented out properties to individuals wanted by Punjab police in different cases,” he said, adding that they were in contact with Punjab police for case transfer to the appropriate jurisdiction.
Reassuring residents, SHO Masoodi said that search operations would continue to ensure Dadyal remained secure and crime-free.
He reiterated that tenant registration was completely free of charge and urged residents to report anyone demanding money for it.
“We call on citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and remind friends and neighbours to comply with the law,” he said, adding that “together, we can ensure the safety of our town”.
Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2025
