Over 50,000 held for fanning radicalisation

While there is much talk going on about the implementation or slow implementation(or even no implementation) of National Action Plan (NAP) in some parts of the country, the figures released by Punjab Government have revealed that NAP is being pursued seriously in the province.
According to figures available, till 11 November, 2015, vigorous action had been taken under newly promulgated laws in the province of Punjab, during which a total of 48,617 cases have been registered, while 53,151 accused have been arrested on the charge of committing different offences including hate speech, wall chalking and display of arms. Punitive action has also been taken in case of other offences under the newly promulgated laws in line with immediate and effective measures adopted by Punjab government to ensure implementation of National Action Plan that aims at eradication of terrorism.
The practical work done by Punjab administration, as evidenced from the figures showing arrest of more than 50,000 persons involved in crimes declared offences under NAP, dispels the impression created by certain quarters without any rhyme or reason by way of which they had been propagating that no concrete work has been done on this track. Instead, the timely and widespread actions taken by the provincial law-enforcement agencies under the directive of Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif demonstrate the strong will and the strong desire of the provincial government to lay hands on the elements fomenting hatred, promoting radicalisation and stoking violence. This approach, in itself, is in clear contrast with the lackadaisical approach of the past when such offences were never considered for appropriate legal action. But now steps have also been taken and necessary arrangements made to make punitive sentences even more stringent followed by their robust implementation. In fact, implementation is being taken as number one priority with the idea of nipping the evil of terrorism in the bud before it becomes an unmanageable, formidable monster. Compared with the past when more serious offences would also be ignored, no leniency is now being shown even towards display of arms and towards hate speeches and literature. The discipline and law and order maintained with so much strictness and success during Moharram and local bodies’ polls is a glaring example of Punjab government’s and its law implementation arm, the Punjab Police’s determination to ensure prevention and then elimination of terrorism and terror-related activities. The credit for this effective handling of terror-related issues goes to the regular meetings of the Apex Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. During these meetings, the CM has been issuing orders for necessary measures, besides continually reviewing law and order situation in this regard.
The overall public take on these measures taken by Punjab Government, under National Action Plan is also encouraging as now the general perception is that the provincial government actions have started yielding highly positive results as manifest in the improvement in the law and order situation in the province.
It has been further learnt that the Punjab government had issued specific guidelines under NAP for maintenance of peace and order during Muharram-ul-Haram and the threat perception issued by the Home Department noted that with the commencement of military operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing National Action Plan, the militants activities’ had ceased to be of any effect. As such, it had become next to impossible for the militants to carry out terrorist activities. During Muharram processions and majalis (congregations), Punjab Government had issued strict instructions regarding supervision by the local administration, police, while local elected representatives accompanied the main processions and were present at sensitive points. During Muharram, the Punjab government strictly enforced the ban on all objectionable hate material, speeches and gagged firebrand speakers besides ensuring removal of objectionable wall-chalking, posters and banners.
The Punjab government, in fact, made use of the strength generated by the national unity as the whole nation stands united in the effort to rid the country of extremism, intolerance and terrorism under the National Action Plan.
It implies that the Punjab Government realises fully well that effective implementation of NAP is highly essential for survival of the country and its stability and for prosperity of the nation.