Law and order worsens

Published March 9, 2008

SUKKUR March 8: The law and order situation which was considerably under control during the past three months has suddenly been deteriorated in the last few days as more than 50 major cases of highway robberies, kidnappings, hijacking of vehicles and looting of passengers have been reported after the 18th Feb polls.

The most affected areas are Kashmore, Kandhkot, Shikarpur, Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Khairpur, Sobho Dero, Mirpur Mathelo and Ghotki.

In one such incident near Kashmore a few days ago, armed robbers hijacked 35 passengers along with a Peshawar-bound bus, and after depriving them of cash and valuables abandoned them on the Indus Highway.

A survey revealed that many cases were still un-reported as the victims feel that the police were unable to provide them any relief.

People said that they have also become disappointed from the political leadership, as they are more devoted and interested in formation of new government.

Almost all the MNAs and senators were in Islamabad as their leadership had asked them to stay there until the convening of new National Assembly. Similarly, the MPAs from all districts have stayed at Karachi.

People, especially the traders’ community of these districts have demanded of the Sindh government and authorities to employ special security measures for the Indus Highway traffic and smooth transportation of goods and passengers from Karachi to Peshawar.

Kidnappers demand: Reports are rife that the gang of armed robbers who had kidnapped 13 people from Ghotki district about 45 days ago has demanded a ransom of Rs2 million for the release of five youth of them, while their main demand is the releases of a detained gangster as a part of a ‘deal’.

Those kidnapped were from the Hindu community of Ghotki and fell victim of the kidnapping when they had gone to Reharki Darbar for worship.

Gulram, Pardeep, Kailash, Amar and Nazir Dhando along with eight others are among the kidnapping victims.

Earlier, the Mirpur Mathelo police had arrested a member of the gang and now the kidnappers were seeking his release in return of five kidnap victims along with a ransom of Rs2 millions.

Sources said that some progress had been made in the ‘deal’ and the hostages had been shifted to a place of a ‘middleman’ in Pacca area from their previous hideout. However, the police are reluctant to confirm any such deal.

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