NAWABSHAH, Aug 21 Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has said that there is no place for Robin Hood in law of the country and criminals must surrender and face the court of law.

Talking to journalists after attending passing out parade of 193 excise inspectors at police training centre in Sakrand on Thursday evening, Mr Mirza said that the criminals who indulged in crime due to political victimisation or any other reason must surrender and face the court of law and those who do not respond, police and law enforcement agencies would take action against them.

Answering a question about doubts raised over the recent Karachi police encounter in which Lyari's gangster-turned social worker Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch alias Rehman dacoit was killed, the minister insisted that the encounter was 100 per cent genuine and said that doubts over it had had arisen due to some managed encounters in the past.

When asked if Rehman had sought pardon under the National Reconstruction Ordinance, he said that Rehman was a notorious criminal and committed first crime by killing his own mother. He said that he was nominated in more than 80 FIRs and no one should call such criminals as messiah.

He said that the law and order situation in the province was not up to their expectation. However, it was much better than past as there was no “no go” area and police could move anywhere easily.

He said that in the past, Rangers were called for political reasons on annual contract basis which was extendable.

He said that the Rangers were retained due to the terrorist attacks of Al-Qaeda and Taliban and whenever the conditions improved, they would be sent back.

Answering another question about “minus one formula” being discussed widely, he said that t was nothing new and being discussed right from the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He said that police were being provided excellent training to face challenges of terrorism and “we may not need rangers and army”.

He said that Sindh government had already increased the salaries of police personnel and now the difference between Sindh and Punjab police salary was only Rs50 to 60.

He said that the government had also enhanced the compensation to the deceased policeman from Rs0.5 million to Rs0.2 million much above Punjab police.

He said that Benazir Bhutto had laid the foundation of police training centre Sakrand, therefore, he was changing the name of centre to Benazir Bhutto anti-terrorism commando training centre.

He announced Rs70 million for upgradation and provision of latest equipment at the centre.

He also announced changing of name of commando centre of Razaaqabad (Karachi) to Benazir Bhutto commando training centre.