LAHORE, Dec 16: A DIGs conference here on Monday decided to step up efforts to end torture and illegal detention at police stations.

Participated by all the DIGs of the Punjab and other senior police officers, the meeting was presided over by IGP Masud Shah at the District Police Lines.

“We need to expedite efforts to eradicate the culture of torture and illegal detention,” the IGP told the conference and said strict punishments be awarded to make it workable.

“Ending this culture is a must to boost the moral of the police force and improve its confidence among people,” he said and asked the DIGs and senior police command to trace any torture cell set up in their jurisdiction and take action accordingly.

Mr Masud directed all the police heads of the areas bordering Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP to prepare plans to control car theft and execute it well. The areas included Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Attock, Bhakkar, Mianwali and DG Khan, he said.

The IGP told the meeting that the CM had sought proposals to improve the police welfare system.

He said the CM had promised more funds for accommodations and medical facilities for the police force.

Besides, he said, setting up of more police stations and police kiosks, around 400, had been promised by the CM on his recommendations. He directed the police heads to identify areas in their jurisdiction where they needed more police stations or kiosks and give him a detail report in two weeks.

He said the police practice of hiding a crime leads to more crimes and urged the police officers not to deny anyone his or her right to get the FIR registered.

The meeting decided to launch fresh drives to control the incidents of dacoity, highway robberies, car theft, kidnap for ransom, gangrape and the campaigns for de-weaponisation and proclaimed offenders.

The IGP stressed the need for making more efforts to control the theft of cattlehead, especially in Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad.