KARACHI, Jan 13: Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has called for better contacts among the relevant departments, including the sensitive agencies, to improve the law and order situation in the province.

He issued a directive for regular monitoring and analysis of crimes and initiation of measures for better results. He said the revival of public confidence in the police was imperative, and so was neighbourhood watch by the people.

He was presiding over a meeting held in the Governor’s House on Monday to review the law and order situation in Sindh and to discuss measures for its improvement.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar and Corps Commander Lt-Gen Tariq Waseem Ghazi, by Chief Secretary K.B. Rind, DG Rangers Maj Gen Salahuddin Satti, Principal Secretary Brig Akhtar Zamin, IG Syed Kamal Shah, Home Secretary Mohammed Aslam Sanjrani and other officials.

The rangers’ DG and the IG briefed the meeting on the law and order situation.

Stressing the restoration of public confidence in the police, the governor said this should be organized from the police station to the top level. He said when the people would consider the police as their friend and sympathiser, then controlling the crimes with joint efforts would be easier. In this regard, he asserted, an atmosphere of trust and confidence would have to be established and a better attitude adopted.

He made it clear that there were so many laws and regulations, but meaningful results could not be achieved without the participation of people, nor the same could be enforced.

The governor said the police stations should work as a basis for analysis of crimes and in this regard he emphasised the use of scientific methods. He said steps to be taken would be possible only when a complete database would be available and for this purpose the police stations should carry out the mapping of crimes.

Reviewing the operation for elimination of no-go areas, the governor directed that no one should be subjected to any kind of excess in this regard. He said the law enforcers, during their operation against criminals, should also take care of the honour of other people. He said no excesses should be committed to women, children and elderly people.

Dr Ishratul Ibad called for a strict check on illegal arms and directed that strict vigil should be maintained at all entry points in this regard. He said that check should also be maintained on the demonstration of arms and those violating the law should be taken to task without any discrimination. He called for continuity of steps taken for the maintenance of law and order during the last three years and said that efforts should be made for further improvement.

He also issued a directive for bringing incidents of dacoities, kidnapping for ransom, tribal feuds, car theft, highway robberies and other crimes under control.

The governor emphasised the need for taking steps towards the welfare of police personnel and said they must be encouraged on good performance. He said there was need for streamlining the police training system on modern lines.

Dr Ishratul Ibad issued a directive also for making the enforcement of the anti-Bhatta Ordinance effective.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar said people had pinned great hopes on the government and “we will come up to their expectations by paying special attention to law and order”.

In this regard, there would be regular monitoring and a meeting would be held every week, and a review meeting would be held every month with the governor, he said.

Mr Mahar said that merit criteria would be ensured in police postings and transfers.

He said he had contacted the chief minister of Balochistan in connection with controlling the border crimes. He said the two provincial government would work jointly in this respect.

Earlier, the meeting was briefed on the steps taken with regard to the on-going operation for the elimination of “no-go areas”, wiping out of dacoities and kidnapping for ransom in Sindh and control on car thefts.

It was stated that the operation in the “no-go areas” was continuing without causing any injustice to innocent persons. During this operation 38 different arms were seized and 241 accused arrested.

The chief secretary told the meeting that special measures were being taken to bring an end to tribal feuds, and for this purpose an important meeting is being held on Jan 17.—APP