Daily Times

Regrettably, there is a general breakdown of law and order in the country. However, the situation in the northern Sindh districts has shockingly worsened. Importantly, kidnapping for ransom has acquired the “status of industry” in that region.

In Sindh, tribal killings have alarmingly increased. However, most of the

cases are happening in Ghotki. Every day, a large number of innocent people become the fuel of tribal feuds. The tribal chiefs instigate the spoiled men of their tribes to gun down the innocent people of hostile tribes. So far, hundreds of people, including women, children and elderly, have been killed. Every day, more than a dozen women are ruthlessly killed on a petty pretext, especially, in the name of the draconian tradition of honour killing (Karo Kari).

District Ghotki is top on the list. Now and then, there are issues of law and order, child marriages or forced conversion. Hindus and other business communities have started migrating from Ghotki to UAE, Malaysia and even Karachi. How can we forget about the Reena and Reevena case, an attack on Hindu school principal and most importantly, the attack on Sacho Satram Das temple?

I want to highlight for my readers that before SP Bangash’s posting to Ghotki, the law and order situation in the district was very bad and kidnapping for ransom, highway robberies and other crimes were rampant. SP Bangash took drastic action against criminals and managed to bring crime rates in the district down to zero. But sadly, he was transferred to another district. From then on, the crime rate has increased with immense ratio.

Recently, the performance of Ghotki police is extraordinary under the supervision of SSP Umer Tufail as he took some important strict actions for law and order. I visited Ghotki and talked with a few people about the overall situation of the district. They showed confidence in the police department. They were of the view that in recent times, the said department was working for the common man, not for influential.

While talking with SP Umar Tufail, he said, “in order to be effective, the police need to understand the people in the neighbourhoods, they patrol.” So, it is very important for an officer to have detailed knowledge of the people, places and culture in the areas where they work.

The revamped RRF will convey the message that the police has a basic responsibility to protect property, life and honour of the citizens

He said within this month of July, Ghotki police have arrested dacoits, gamblers, narcotics dealers, drug dealers, bootleggers and proclaimed offenders. Meanwhile, under my supervision, they have arrested notorious Juman Chachar, Zaheer Chachar and Waqar Chachar alongside two suspects arrested from various areas of the city and recovered narcotics, cash, mobile phones, bikes, gambling tools and stolen valuables from their possession. Cases have been registered against these nabbed persons and further investigation is underway.

He further directed to beef up special security measures for cattle markets, Masajids, Imamabarghas, Mandirs & other places of worship in District Ghotki and ensure strict compliance on Corona SOPs. While giving instructions to inspectors and station house officers, he said the complaints of the masses should be resolved and all steps are taken to improve law and order throughout the district.

One very important thing that this officer did for citizens of Ghotki is to set up a Rapid Response Force to counter any criminals and miscreant activities. This force consists of 125 Police Personnel having 30 motorcycles, six police mobiles, equipped with modern weapons, bulletproof vest, helmets, red caps, walkies talkies and other gadgets and will remain in action, when and wherever, required to cater any emergency.

The revamped RRF will ensure first responders to all calls, hot pursuit of criminals, prevention of street crimes, surveillance of anti-social elements, snap checking, information gathering, typically within ten minutes to cope any crime from Ghotki. It will convey the message that the police has a basic responsibility to protect property, life and honour of the citizens, and facilitate the public when needed. No one would be allowed to take the law into their hands.

I believe that a strong relationship and mutual trust between police agencies and the communities they serve are critical to maintaining public safety and effective policing. Police officials rely on the cooperation of community members to provide information about crime in their neighbourhoods, and to work with the police to devise solutions to crime and disorder problems. Similarly, community members’ willingness to trust the police depends on whether they believe that police actions reflect community values and incorporate the principles of procedural justice and legitimacy.

In pursuit of its mission, the Sindh Police believes in providing quality service with the highest possible degree of excellence, based on the principles of fairness, integrity, honesty and respect for human dignity. All the officers/officials of Sindh police have already been directed to familiarise themselves with the mission statement and to continue the tradition of service to the people along with firm enforcement of the law in a courteous manner.

The police are bound to serve all law-abiding citizens, regardless of caste, race and religion. The Sindh Police has sacrificed more than 2500 of its officers/officials in the line of duty to save precious lives and property of the citizens of Sindh and will continue to do so.

The writer is a social and political activist