PESHAWAR: Almost 50 per cent of the field police officers in the provincial capital have been either suspended or served show-cause notices as police launched a major operation against mafias.
Six SHOs were suspended while 11 others were issued show-cause notices for failing to go after mafias and improve law and order. Six SDPOs were also served show-cause notices.Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed Ahmad on Sunday warned officials to improve their performance, act against gangs and restore peace or face dismissal.
"Those who perform well will be rewarded and encouraged, while others failing to improve law and order will be dealt with strictly. We have to take important decisions to ensure security and restore public trust in police," said the CCPO.
The SHOs who were suspended on Sunday were heading Faqirabad, Hashtnagri, Paharipura, Pishtakhara, West Cantt and Khazana police stations.In-charge of Jahangirabad police post and a junior clerk posted at Khazana Police Station also faced action.
All these cops were suspended for poor performance, corruption and links with mafias and criminal elements.Similarly, show-cause notices were issued to six SDPOs, including those of Faqirabad, Hashtnagri, Gulbahar, Pishtakhara, University Town and Regi, for poor supervision.
Show-cause notices were also issued to 11 SHOs of Tatara, Hayatabad, Sharqi, Gulberg, Sarband, Kotwali, Bhana Mari, Daudzai, Chamkani, Mathra and Badaber police stations for poor performance.
One SHO, Wajid Khan of Matani Police Station, was awarded a certificate of appreciation.The CCPO vowed to continue the crackdown on criminal elements, especially land-grabbing mafias, those promoting gun culture, drug dealers, brothels, gambling dens, and those spreading obscene and immoral content on social media.
The capital city police had launched the operation against mafias involved in drug trafficking, land grabbing, promoting gun culture and other crimes over a week ago.Simultaneous operations will be conducted within the limits of all police stations.
According to the CCPO, police have launched a full-scale crackdown on mafias across Peshawar. Operations will target those involved in the manufacture, sale and trafficking of ice, heroin and other drugs.
"We have also planned major operations against armed groups involved in land grabbing and other crimes by harassing people through brandishing weapons in public," said Mian Saeed.He warned criminal and armed groups involved in so-called jirgas, saying the Dispute Resolution Councils had been reformed and strengthened to resolve the growing number of blood feuds. However, he added, armed groups and mafias using such jirgas to mint money would be dealt with an iron hand.
Many rival groups are seen brandishing weapons in public to spread fear and later using them to grab property. Lists of such groups are being finalized.To ensure the posting of competent and honest officers as SDPOs and SHOs purely on merit, a committee has been formed that has interviewed many officers.
The CCPO said that with a new, competent team, more proactive and effective actions would be taken against mafias involved in land grabbing, extortion, usury, gambling, aerial firing and the display of arms to spread terror.These mafias have grown stronger in recent years due to the lack of decisive action against them.