The return of bandit gangs in the kacha (riverine) area of Rajanpur where they recently took nine policemen hostage is a reminder that clearing these crime-infested areas of criminals as was done in 2011 is not enough. Their comeback suggests a more focused approach to keeping the area free of dacoits. Perhaps the police grew complacent after clearing the three river islands-of Kacha Karachi, Kacha Jamal and Baggiani of bandits after their 25-year rule. Consequently more than 50 bandits stormed 22 pickets on the three Indus islands last Saturday, reclaiming the area that has been notorious as a lawless haven for kidnappers and dacoits. Back with a vengeance, the bandits have already killed one of the nine police officers they kidnapped while the negotiations mediated by the MNA of the area Atif Mazari have so far proved futile. The bandits’ terms for releasing the remaining eight policemen are not acceptable to the police. They demand safe passage and the release of the family members of their ringleader Chotu Mazari. Letting the bandits go scot-free after killing a policeman will damage the morale of the force, said a senior police officer. This standoff has now been referred to the Chief Minister Punjab, who had been contacted many times previously by the police to fill the vacant slot of the District Police Officer (DPO). Ironically, Rajanpur, in spite of being traditionally afflicted with criminal activities, has been left without any DPO for more than two months. Inspector General Punjab Police Khan Baig had suggested SP Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi to be made acting DPO. However, local influential politicians opposed the appointment and the matter was left in limbo until the situation got out of hand. For the moment, both the police and bandits are adhering to a ceasefire after fierce clashes in recent days. The police have cordoned off the kacha area. Reports say Amir Niazi has finally been appointed acting DPO.
Investigations have revealed that the bandits have been in cohorts with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). They would arrange safe houses for the LeJ and SSP and conduct sectarian violence on their command. In a country riven with terrorism and lawlessness, any slack attitude of the law enforcement agencies could prove costly. There is no one face of terrorism in Pakistan. Sectarian violence, ethnic infighting, Islamic extremism, turf wars, etc, have been cobbled together to decimate the country. In such a situation, criminal gangs find it convenient to align with terrorist organisations. It is about time that bypassing every political interference and influence, the Punjab government reshuffles and overhauls the police force serving in Rajanpur. *