In a final strategy against the bandits operating in the riverine area of the province, the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies have decided that illegal crops cultivated in the Kutcha areas would be taken over by the government and CCTV cameras would be installed along the border of the province.
During discussions between Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon and other police high-ups, the interior minister said coordinated and effective measures should be ensured under a systematic mechanism to protect the citizens from kidnapping for ransom.
The home minister said the bandits lured innocent citizens by offering them sale of cheap vehicles and other attractive incentives. He called for using social media to create awareness about the modus operandi of bandits.
Lanjar directed that 1,000 manpower should be provided at the disposal of the Kashmore-Kandhkot police and 1,000 others at the disposal of the Shikarpur police.
He said adequate steps should be taken for installation of smart CCTV cameras on border areas of Sindh, especially at the tri-junction borders. He said that in this regard, dignitaries and stakeholders from different communities should also be taken on board.
The home minister ordered police patrolling and snap checking on the roads and highways adjacent to the Kutcha areas on a daily basis. He said that anti-smuggling measures should be made concrete and effective under strong and sustainable linkages with the relevant institutions.
He also constituted a committee comprising the relevant deputy commissioners, DIGs and SSPs to prevent the sale and purchase of illegal crops cultivated in the Kutcha areas. The Shikarpur, Larkana and Sukkur police were told to take over these illegal crops and transfer them to government warehouses.
The IGP directed all the senior officers present in the meeting to take steps to formulate a strategy against crime on a weekly basis. He said there should be no shortcomings or loopholes in raiding operations.