ATTOCK: Public resentment against the Attock police has been rising in the wake of a wave of crimes in the area.

In the latest incident three highway robbers looted cash and mobile phones from two local shopkeepers near Fatehjang Chowk overnight. Another citizen was robbed similarly on the Railway Road a few days earlier.

Before that, Mohammad Niaz, a resident of Attock, had been kidnapped for ransom. The kidnappers demanded Rs30 million for his release.

What infuriates the harassed local population is that police seem impervious to the situation. Recently, robbers tried to stop a medicine supplying van on the Attock-Kamra Road. However, its driver sensed the danger and sped on to escape the trap. But when Rescue 15 was called in the hope that police would pursue the criminals, nobody picked up the phone.

Besides the recent robberies, the rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom are another security threat to the residents. A few days back, a local citizen, Mohammad Niaz was abducted by the kidnappers for ransom as they demanded Rs30 million for his release, the sources revealed.

On the other hand, the police were clueless about the whereabouts of Dr Ahsan Bahadur, who was kidnapped from his residence inside THQ hospital Hazro on Jan 14, sources added.

Owing to rampant incidents of robbery, kidnapping and other street crimes, the citizens and traders feel themselves insecure even in the urban areas. Ironically, the local public representatives are also silent over serious law and order situation in the area. They demanded that the Punjab government and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Punjabshould take immediate notice of the situation so that safety of life and property of the citizens might be ensured.

On contact, District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Muhammad Akhtar Abbass said that police were aware of the crime situation and taking all measures to eliminate the criminal gangs. He said that police patrolling on the highways had been enhanced and the police had busted a six-member gang of robbers and recovered weapons from them on Tuesday.

He said that the alleged robbers were found involved in eight theft, robbery and motorcycle snatching incidents which they committed recently in and around the city. Some other disclosures were being expected from them, DPO said.