GUJRAT, April 1: The Sarai Alamgir police claimed on Saturday to have arrested six members of a robbers’ gang and recovered illegal weapons and booty, including five motorcycles, from their possession.
At a press conference at Rajjarr Rest House in Sarai Alamgir, DPO Raja Munawar Husain said the people had been feeling fear owing to the rising incidents of robberies from Poran to Shakrila.
He said he had constituted a team, led by Kharian DSP Raja Zafar and Sarai Alamgir SHO Ghulam Jaffar Cheena, for the arrest of the robbers. He said after hectic efforts the team arrested six dacoits — Munir alias Munira, Afzal, Qaiser, Ashfaq, Tasawar and Ghulam Rabbani.
The police recovered five motorcycles, 20 cell phones, 10 wrist watches, cash, besides arms, including two Kalashnikovs.
The DPO announced commendation certificates for ASI Sagheer Ahmad and constables, Moazzam Ali and Amin, for showing efficiency.
CLAIM TO FAME: ASI Sagheer Ahmad, one of the team members, allegedly adopted a novel way to lure popularity and particularly the DPO’s attention.
It is alleged that a number of people thronged the ceremony arranged to award prizes to the policemen, and gave money to the ASI which he had already given to them from his pocket.
Some people, including elected representatives, reached the stage and handed over thousands of rupees to the stage secretary as prize for ASI Sagheer.
They also requested the stage secretary to made announcements of the people contributing to the cause. And the stage secretary did so and requested the DPO to give the cash prize to the ASI. The DPO, however, did not turn up for the purpose but Sarai Alamgir tehsil nazim Chaudhry Abdur Rahman came forward and handed over the money.
Sources claimed that ASI Sagheer had already given the cash from his own pocket to the people to lure popularity and the attention of the DPO.
When contacted, the ASI denied the charge and said people had expressed confidence in him by paying the cash from their own pockets.
It is pertinent to note that the DPO had twice transferred ASI Sagheer due to rising incidents of crime in the area. He was re-appointed at Shakrila picket on MPA Chaudhry Arshad’s personal request to the DPO.
Earlier, Chaudhry Arshad and the tehsil nazim heaped praise on the ASI and the constables.