HYDERABAD, March 25: Twenty-one police stations in the district are working without their sanctioned force, investigation conducted by this correspondent revealed.

Over the years, this has been compelling the district police management to draw force from other police stations to deploy them in jurisdictions of these 21 police stations. Prior to their establishment in mid-80s, there were 16 police stations in Hyderabad.

The Hyderabad police administration has been sending proposals and requirements in respect of 2,336 police force to the Sindh government but to no avail. A source said besides the 21 police stations, nine were set up in forest area for which force had been sanctioned by the government in early 90s.

Before bifurcation of police into investigation and operation wings under the Police Order, 2002, the strength of the district police was 5,845. Now the strength of the operation wing is 4,615 and that of the investigation wing is 1,230.

Ascribing police failure in controlling criminal activities to the lack of police force, a police official said it had also affected patrolling and picketing in the area.

Police sources said bank managements also insisted on deployment of police despite having hired private security guards. The prison department is the worst affected area with particular reference to production of under-trial prisoners in courts in and outside Hyderabad.

Official figures of the Hyderabad Central Jail about non- production of prisoners in 2003 shows that out of 20,988 prisoners required to be produced in districts other than Hyderabad, 16,325 were produced in courts. Similarly, out of 21,463 prisoners required to be produced in courts in the Hyderabad district, 15,933 were produced in courts.

Likewise, out of 16,603 prisoners of the Nara jail, 12,895 were produced between January and October in 2003 and 3,710 could not be produced in courts. The non-production of all the prisoners in courts was due to lack of prison vans and police escorts.

The DPO, operation, A. D. Khawaja, said several correspondences had been made to the police department for the required force but in vain. He said they were forced to draw force from other police stations to provide escort to VIPs during their visits to the district.

According to police rules, he said, one policeman was required for 1,000 people. A source said Rs5.37 million was required for the additional police force, including 14 head constables and 56 constables.