PESHAWAR: Dozens of people from various areas have been arrested as police launched a crackdown against festive firing and the brandishing of weapons.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed Ahmad and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Zahid Ullah have directed all superintendents of police, DSPs, and station house officers that no festive firing will be tolerated in their areas.
The SHOs and heads of police posts have been warned that action will be taken against them if any incident of celebratory gunfire occurs in their jurisdiction.“Several people, including bridegrooms, have been arrested in the past few days for festive firing during weddings,” said CCPO Mian Saeed. He said SHOs and other officers would face action if such incidents were reported from their areas.
Police have been directed to arrest the bridegroom or his father in cases of celebratory firing for failing to prevent their guests from committing the crime.Many SHOs arrest other individuals and avoid action against the families hosting the wedding when approached by influential people, targeting others merely to show progress to their superiors. They have been warned against extending any such favour to those violating the ban on celebratory firing and the public display of weapons, and against apprehending the wrong people.
Scores of people have been killed or wounded by stray bullets during celebratory firing in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on festive occasions. More incidents are reported on weekend nights during wedding ceremonies.
Citizens stressed the need for stricter laws for those arrested in cases of aerial firing. Normally, such suspects are released after paying a nominal fine whenever police launch an operation.
Tens of thousands of shots are fired in Peshawar, Bannu, Nowshera, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, and other districts on various occasions. Police have launched special campaigns against the menace several times, but the force has largely failed in ensuring a complete ban on aerial firing.
“Innumerable shots are fired in the air during festivals and weddings in KP. Despite several campaigns, celebratory firing has not been stopped in any part of the province,” said Umar Khan, a resident. He said stray bullets have struck scores of people, including women and children, inside their homes, causing many fatalities.
Many also criticised those who post videos of festive firing on social media, calling such showmanship a sign of a sick mentality. Several such people were arrested during an operation in Tehkal a day before.