DERA GHAZI KHAN, Dec 21: The special status of tribal area of the Dera Ghazi Khan district should be abolished by including it in settled area where some employees of the Border Military Police are allegedly abetting criminal activities.

This was demanded by District Police Officer Suleman Chaudhry at a press conference he had held the other day in the wake of smashing two gangs of motorbike snatchers by the Punjab police force.

He said 32 motorbikes had been recovered from the culprits, who had connections with some officials of the military police. He revealed that the BMP assisted criminals of the settled area in shifting the two-wheelers to Balochistan.

In the backdrop of the situation, the DPO suggested that the tribal area of the district should be merged in the settled one so that the Punjab police could take stock of overall law and order situation in the district.

Answering a question, the district police officer said the police were trying to glean solid evidence against those patronizing the criminal activities. Those found guilty would be taken to task.

He, however, praised his subordinates - ASP Ehsan Manzoor, Saddar DSP Chaudhry Bashir and sub-inspector Ali Muhammad - for busting two gangs. Meanwhile, the police claimed to have handed over some of the motorbikes to their owners.