Peshawar police launch drive against social evils

PESHAWAR: Senior Superintendent of Police, operations, Masood Ahmad Bangash has said that operations have been launched against the mafias involved in land grabbing, drug-trafficking, brandishing weapons, underplay and other social evils.

He said all the station house officers, divisional superintendent of police and their deputies have been directed to go after the criminals involved in these acts. “A number of members of the land mafia as well as those depriving people of millions of rupees through underplay have been held during the drive while actions have been ordered against such criminals in limits of all police stations,” Masood Bangash told The News.

There were a number of land mafias active in different urban, suburban and rural areas of the provincial capital. They were involved in spreading terror through several guards in escort cars to grab land of innocent people. Underplay and usury are the new way of looting people by the criminals in car bargain centres and property dealers. Hundreds of people have been deprived of millions of rupees under usury and underplay.

The SSP said one of their top priorities is massive operations against ice dealers, manufacturers and smugglers. He added every step would be taken to bust factories and block the supply route, especially to the youth and students.

He maintained that on the directives of Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan operations were underway against ice dealers and criminals involved in other heinous crimes. An increase has been reported in the number of ice addicts in recent years. This increase has added to the rising street crimes, including snatching of phone and cash, lifting cars and bikes, theft and shooting of victims for offering resistance.

The SSP said effective actions were taken against the aerial firing that had claimed several lives. “We have ordered to arrest the bridegroom if shots are fired in any wedding in coming days,” said the official.

The deputy city police chief said measures were being taken to settle blood disputes that are causing law and order situation in many areas. He said apart from keeping a check on jirgas and supporting positive elements in these bodies, the dispute resolution councils will be restructured. He added new members would be added to DRCs so these forums work effectively to end hundreds of blood disputes that create serious law and order when the two parties encounter each other.The SSP said campaigns were underway against aerial firing, brandishing of weapons, underplay and other social evils.