LAHORE, April 10: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has announced certain measures to root out crimes as well as take to task such elements who provide sanctuary to criminals. Presiding over a meeting of the Punjab administration at the Civil Secretariat here on Sunday, the chief minister directed that patrol posts should be increased in the province. He said special operations should be launched to eliminate the activities of criminals in the katcha areas.

He directed that the procedure to return the recovered property to their legal owners should be simplified.

The police patrol posts, he said, would not only be responsible for controlling the crimes on the highways but would also remove encroachments on the roads.

Pervaiz Elahi said that river belts and katcha areas would not be allowed to become havens for the dacoits and criminals and, for this purpose, the Rangers and helicopters would be used in the operations against these elements.

He directed the administration that off and on operations in katcha areas were not the permanent solution of the issue. He announced that permanent police posts would be established in the adjacent river areas of Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. For this purpose, he said the government would provide funds on priority basis.

The chief minister said that at every post 20-25 police officials equipped with latest weapons would be deputed and motorboats would also be provided for their efficient working.

During his visits of different districts, he said complaints were made regarding the notorious gangsters and cattle-lifters. He said that close interaction and permanent liaison between the police of different districts was necessary to eradicate such crimes.

He directed that strict action should be taken against the cattle-lifters and the people involved in this business should also be taken to task.

Giving vent to his disquiet over the procedure of handing over the recovered stolen items to their owners, the chief minister said that it was as important as the arrest of the criminals.

He said the procedure for this purpose should be improved and, if it was necessary, the government would also undertake legislation in this regard.