200 robbed of cash, valuables in two weeks

LAHORE
The crime control meetings of the Lahore police bosses could not give any respite to Lahorites as over 200 citizens were deprived of cash, valuables, gold ornaments, cars and bikes worth millions of rupees during the first two weeks of the current month.
The SHOs, DSPs and SPs claim that they could not focus on fighting crimes in their respective areas due to the unending chain of meetings held on a daily basis. They were of the view that the senior officers pack them with plenty of orders and instructions during meetings but didn’t give any time to implement the same.
Though the trend of street crime remained less violent during the said period, the citizens were looted in broad daylight even in the areas where there is great rush. The random check of the investigation done on the reported cases so far also revealed that the investigations wing have only been focusing on high profile cases while the common citizens were asked to visit police stations regularly just for formality. The citizens are usually fed up with frequent visits and stop pursuing the investigation. Sometimes, the complainants spend more money than the looted amount in the process.
Six robbery victims were shot at and injured in separate incidents on offering resistance. Out of the total reported incidents, 25 cars and 45 bikes were either stolen or snatched from citizens.
The City Division topped the list in crime against property with 40 reported incidents. Out of the total crime hits, 16 bikes and two cars were also snatched or lifted. Islampura and Shahdarah police stations proved safe heavens for dacoits as they committed street crimes to their satisfaction. The Model Town Division was on the second with 36 incidents of street crime and thefts. Robbers deprived citizens of cash and valuables worth over Rs 10 million. Out of the total reported incidents, seven cars and eight motorcycles were also snatched or stolen from different areas. Two persons were injured on offering resistance in Ichhra and Nishtar Colony.
The Iqbal Town Division secured third position with 35 incidents. Six bikes and three cars were also stolen during the first two weeks of the current month. Samanabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulshan-e-Ravi police gave free hand to dacoits as most of the incidents were reported in their limits. A total of 33 cases of house robbery, theft and street crime were reported in the Cantt Division which is fourth on the list. Out of the total reported incidents, six bikes and three cars were also stolen or snatched. Most of the incidents were reported in North Cantt, Factory Area, Defence-A and Baghbanpura police limits.
The Saddar Division stood fifth with 31 reported incidents out of which six cars and three bikes were also stolen or snatched. Sattukatla, Nawab Town, Johar Town and Green Town police failed to control robberies. Two citizens were also shot and injured on offering resistance to robbers. The Civil Lines Division was secured the last spot with 26 reported incidents during this period, where three cars and six motorcycles were also stolen or snatched. Moghalpura, Gujjarpura, Shalimar and Old Anarkali proved safe havens for criminals. A senior police officer, talking to The News, said the Lahore police bosses had yet to prioritise crime fighting in their agendas. He added that new initiatives would surely help brining reforms in police culture but there was also a need to focus on crime fighting in the provincial metropolis. (Iqra Yaqub, an intern with The News, also contributed to the story.)