Absence of lamp posts gives rise to street crimes

Street crimes seem to be on the rise in certain parts of Rawalpindi and one of the main reasons is absence of streetlights in different localities of the city.

This issue of street crimes was raised by vice chairmen of different union councils particularly UC 4, 5, 6, Double Road, Commercial Markets during a special meeting of Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) convened by Mayor Rawalpindi, Sardar Muhammad Naseem. The special meeting was convened on the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif who directed the Mayor Rawalpindi for convene special session once every month with the vice chairmen to discuss basic matters related to the union councils.

According to one of the vice chairman the street criminals did not even spared him and snatched his mobile phone and currency while he was travelling on double road at night. It happened only because of absence of streetlights on the double road. Similar incidents have occurred at Commercial Market streets because of no streetlights. The vice chairmen of other UCs while expressing concern over this incident urged the Mayor to hold meeting with the CPO Rawalpindi in this connection so that action could be taken against involved criminals.

The vice chairmen of UC 20 brought into the notice about problem of road crossing road at Benazir Bhutto Hospital. He said due to absence of signals on Murree Road, crossing of roads from one place to another takes at least 15 minutes for a people to procure medicines from chemist shops situated opposite the hospital. He demanded construction of an underpass outside the vicinity of BBH for the convenience of people to cross the road without any problem and hardship.

Vice Chairman of UC 29, drew the attention of the mayor towards the non-functioning of Filtration Plant in his area for the last 10 years. He demanded grant for repairs of the filtration plant in his UC.

Vice Chairman of UC 30 expressed concern over huge water bills being issued by Wasa to the consumers. He demanded of Mayor to direct Wasa authorities to make 50 per cent discounts on water bills so that the consumers could clear their outstanding dues. He also brought into the notice of mayor about contaminated water being supplied to the consumers in UC-30 particularly Street No 3. He said that the authorities should be directed to rectify this problem at the earliest in the best interest of the citizens of this Union Council, he said.