Daily Times

Sir: There is no doubt that security threats are there as the country is in the midst of a war on terror, necessitating measures to ward off such threats. However, right from all the entry points to Islamabad to the highly secured so-called red-zone, the capital presents the look of a fortified city as dozens of checkposts have been established and huge concrete blocks erected on roads and streets.

Those deployed at such security pickets have also been found to be involved in corrupt practices besides misbehaving with travellers. Use of filthy language by police officers, misconduct and misbehaviour are abuses of police authority that have become their hallmark over the past few weeks in the name of security checks. Sometimes used interchangeably, the term refers to a wide range of procedural, criminal and civil rights violations. Common forms of misconduct are excessive use of physical or deadly force, discriminatory arrest, and physical or verbal harassment by security officials at pickets in both twin cities.

Police pickets set up on almost every road for security are doing more harm than good and causing inconvenience for all kinds of commuters. At ‘police-public’ interfaces, people have spoken about their horrible experience of ‘ill-treatment’ by the staff of police at pickets. Indeed, there is a need to give lessons on ‘good conduct and moral values’ to the officers and I strongly suggest training police officers in dealing with the public rather than creating a sense of fear and insecurity.

RABIA JAVED

Islamabad