Crackdown on beggars, drug addicts ordered

LAHORE :Inspector General of Police Punjab Shoaib Dastagir ordered launching a crackdown on beggar mafia and drug addicts. Actions should be taken against professional beggars in collaboration with teams of Child Protection Bureau across the province, said the IG Punjab.

The IGP directed to initiate a crackdown on professional beggars and drug addicts and said that speedy action should be taken against professional beggars in all districts of the province. The notification in this regard has been sent to CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs and it has been emphasised upon by IG Punjab that timely action in collaboration with child protection bureau teams should be taken against those beggars who exploit children for begging on roads whereas there should be no delay in taking action against drug addicts who snatch commodities from citizens on the pretext of unemployed labourer and jobless persons. The IG directed regional and district police officers that the beggars and drug addicts on roads cause trouble for the citizens, hence, they don't deserve any leniency; therefore, special action should be taken against them. Moreover, he said the patrolling hours of forces should be made more effective and the report with respect to action taken against beggars and addicts should be sent to central police office on daily basis. Meanwhile, as per orders of Inspector General of Police Punjab Shoaib Dastagir, crackdown on hoarding and violation of lockdown orders in the wake of Corona pandemic was continued.

Since 16th March, 11,153 cases against violation of Section 144 and 263 cases against hoarding have been registered. As per directions of IGP, police teams in all districts are strictly ensuring the implementation of instructions issued by the Punjab government so that precious lives of the citizens may be saved. Police established 1,490 pickets since 16th March where 87,935 heavy vehicles and 194,698 motorcycles had been checked. On these police pickets, among 424,999 citizens, 268,894 have been released on warning. Surety bonds have been taken from 19,205 citizens, whereas in violation of Section 144, 11,153 FIRs have been registered and 19,464 citizens were arrested and among them 9,909 released on bail whereas action was taken against 2,030 shops and 259 restaurants. Likewise, 263 cases were registered against hoarding and legal action was taken against 309 whereas 235 accused were arrested and 105 were released on bail. During the 23 days, police teams provided awareness to 78,973 citizens and helped 82,844 citizens.

Moreover, 1,490 pickets had been established in the province where 6,361 vehicles and 14,570 motorcycles were checked. Among 29,844 citizens checked on pickets, 18,655 citizens have been released on warning. Surety bonds have been taken from 1,500 citizens; 1,045 accused were arrested whereas 289 were bailed. Collectively, 679 FIRs have been registered in which 1,401 accused were nominated whereas action had been taken against 90 shops and 33 restaurants. Similarly, during 24 hours action against hoarding, five cases were registered and action was taken against seven accused. Police teams gave awareness about Corona to 6,342 citizens and provided help to 2,897 citizens.

IG Punjab Shoaib Dastagir stressed upon regional and district police chiefs to speed up the actions against the violators of law and directed to continue the actions against those who don't follow the government’s orders and submit its report to Central police office on daily basis.

DIG: A delegation of religious scholars from different schools of thought, management of programmes of Shab-e-Barat and members of Peace Committee called on DIG Operations Rai Babar Saeed in his office on Wednesday. SSP Operations Muhammad Naveed, ADCG Amir Shafique, officers of District Government and Police department were also present. The delegation discussed matters and issues related to spread of coronavirus and suspension of collective religious activities of Shab-e-Barat at Masajid this year.