LARKANA: Sindh Minister for Home retired Brig Haris Nawaz has said that operation in riverine area of Kashmore district against dacoits and their facilitators is being carried out across the board by police, Rangers and special branch personnel and army’s help may also be sought if need be.

The minister told journalists in Kashmore after visiting Durrani Mahar police station in riverine area along with IGP Rifat Mukhtiar on Wednesday: “Today, we have visited police stations and pickets established in the riverine area in the district. There is no pressure on us and we want to uproot crime from Sindh”.

He said: “We want the criminals to lead crime-free lives and give their children education. Tribal feuds posed a serious threat to peace as they increased crime and shattered peace, he said, adding they were making efforts to prevent clashes among rival clans. Measures will be taken in consultation with Sindh IGP to address the issue of tribal system,” he said.

He said that in order to boost morale of police the personnel posted in the riverine area would now receive Rs10,000 ‘katcha allowance’ and all those found involved in kidnappings and other crimes in Kashmore would face severe action.

The IGP flanked by Larkana DIG Javed Soonharo Jiskani and Kashmore SSP Rohail Kohso said: “We are working without any pressure. All officials should play their role, as currently police and Rangers are jointly carrying out the operation in the riverine area,” he said.

‘Sardars to be held responsible for abductions’

A day earlier in Larkana, the minister along with the IGP held a press conference at SSP office where he said that no one could dare challenge the writ of the government. A sardar (chieftain) of an area would be held responsible for any kidnappings committed in his area. The sardar would have to ensure safe recovery of the kidnapped victim even if he had to pay ransom, he said.

He suspected involvement of certain sardars in the abduction incidents and said earlier in a Tweet “if any sardar is found involved in a crime he will face action without any consideration for his political status and they will be taken to court as our prime object is to ensure a crime-free Sindh.”

He said that they were working for the restoration of peace and eradication of the menace of narcotics. “We have no political agenda and we are ready to frame strategy to send back Afghanis and other aliens. We will not tolerate dacoits in the katcha and facilitators in the pucca areas,” he said and claimed to see ‘change’ in Karachi’s situation within four to six weeks.

Minister urges bandits to surrender

The minister said that latest weapons and machinery were being provided to police to fight the dacoits in an effective manner and urged bandits to lay down arms and surrender to police.

He praised police for recovering hostage Sagar Kumar and said that they would continue their work without any pressure whether they had to remain in office for three months or six months. They were making concerted efforts for the safe recovery of Priya Kumari, he said.

The minister and IGP later visited under-construction Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge over the Indus River before arriving in Ghotki where Sukkur Range DIG Abdul Hameed Khoso and SSP Muneer Ahmed Khuhro briefed them about the riverine area and law and order situation across the district.

The minister said that peace would be restored within two months and they would hesitate to arrest any sardar if they had to for the sake of restoration of peace. They would also seek help from Punjab police to hamper movement of outlaws and criminals across the provincial border, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2023