Crime diary: Police crackdown on mafias needs political support

PESHAWAR: While police have launched a crackdown on mafias and groups brandishing automatic weapons in public, the force needs strong support from the government and the Central Police Office (CPO) to ensure peace in Peshawar.

The Capital City Police recently initiated an operation against mafias involved in manufacturing, trafficking, and dealing in ice and other drugs.In addition, all sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) and station house officers (SHOs) have been tasked with targeting gangs involved in the public display of arms to spread terror.

Many of these groups are also engaged in land grabbing and other crimes, creating serious law and order issues and challenging the writ of the state for years.Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed Ahmad recently declared that no such group would be allowed to display arms in public or escort vehicles to spread terror or commit crimes. He directed all SDPOs and SHOs to aggressively pursue these gangs to send a strong message.

The CCPO reinforced his warning by suspending six SHOs and issuing show-cause notices to six DSPs and 11 SHOs for negligence or collusion with criminal groups. The move has been widely lauded, as such a large number of police officers had not been punished in a single action in recent years.

The crackdown began with the demolition of illegal posts set up by one group. Lists of other groups have already been prepared, and operations are set to expand. In anticipation, these groups have reportedly started approaching politicians for support to evade police action.

In the past, many such operations against mafias had to be halted after criminal groups sought the backing of politicians-whom they supported during elections-pressuring senior police officials. They also used social media to garner sympathy and portray police action as unlawful.

On several occasions, the government and the CPO succumbed to this pressure instead of eliminating the menace.This time, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed has assured full support for the operation against mafias. The same commitment is needed from the government, political leaders, and the media if peace is to be restored in Peshawar.

Earlier in May, the IGP had directed Peshawar Police to take action against all armed groups-even those with political backing-that terrorize society by roaming with armed guards.Dozens of suspects were arrested, while two lists containing over 900 names were sent to the concerned authorities for the cancellation of arms licenses of those involved in crimes.

These lists included top members of armed groups notorious for spreading fear in society. However, action was often stalled as they argued that their weapons were licensed and necessary for personal protection due to threats.

The growing gun culture has become a major issue for KP Police and society over the past several years. Numerous groups openly move around with escort vehicles carrying automatic weapons, yet no significant action was taken against them for years.

Some were originally involved in blood feuds but later used their armed presence for land grabbing, other crimes, and public harassment.Some of those infamous for promoting gun culture travel in bulletproof vehicles under the pretext of life threats. They are accompanied by armed guards, many dressed in police-like uniforms, creating an atmosphere of terror.

“We will go after all mafias involved in the display of arms in public, drug dealing, land grabbing, and other crimes. All SPs, DSPs, and SHOs have been tasked to move against these mafias to restore durable peace in Peshawar,” said CCPO Mian Saeed.

He added that key changes have been made in the team, with effective officers being brought in, while more competent cops will soon be given important responsibilities.“Apart from tackling the gun culture, police are working to end blood feuds, cut supply routes of ice, heroin, and other drugs, curb street crime, and improve the behavior of cops toward the public,” the CCPO added.

Recent police actions against TikTokers involved in spreading vulgarity have already been appreciated and supported by the media and public.The same level of backing is needed for operations against gangs engaged in land grabbing, spreading terror in public, drug trafficking, and street crimes.