FAISALABAD, Dec 9: The district police will soon forward a proposal to the Punjab government for setting up a hospital, a vocational institute and a residential colony for policemen.

The district police have more than 7,000 employees from constable to DIG ranks, serving at 40 police stations and other offices.

City Police Officer Dr Haider Ashraf told Dawn to cater to the healthcare needs of these policemen and their families, the district police needed a separate infirmary and the Punjab government was expected to provide land for the purpose.

He said Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah was informed about the proposal a couple of days ago and he had agreed to it, pledging the provincial government’s support for the project.

Dr Ashraf said the hospital would also provide healthcare to other residents of the industrial city. Besides, he said, a vocational training institute and a residential colony for policemen were also need of the hour.

He said the policemen posted in the district were compelled to live in police stations, while they had to rent accommodations for their families which added to their financial burden.

He said because of their frequent transfers and postings, the policemen found it difficult to move their families along.

The CPO said provision of quality education to policemen’s children was another issue that needed to be addressed on priority so that the officials could perform their duty efficiently.

DIRECTION: In the wake of an attack on a prisoners’ van on Dec 2, City Police Officer Dr Haider Ashraf has issued directions to all station house officers asking them to make special security arrangements for transportation of inmates from one place to another.

Now sufficient ammunition will be given to policemen. Cops will be deployed on rooftops of prisoner vans.

The CPO said the officers concerned must brief their subordinates about security measures, including positions during emergency, availability of bulletproof jackets, handcuffs and appropriate route before movement of the hardened criminals. Lock of the van must be repaired.

He said policemen must be positioned on rooftops of the vehicles prior to movement so that security staff could retaliate effectively during any resistance.

On Dec 2, unidentified outlaws opened fire on a police van on Tandlianwala Road and got freed their five accomplices by injuring four constables.

The van carrying eight prisoners involved in robberies and murders was on its way back from Faisalabad to Sahiwal when it came under attack near Mari Pattan in the limits of Gogera police station (Okara).

The escaped prisoners were produced before different courts of Jaranwala, Faisalabad and Tandlianwala.

Constables identified as Nawaz, Saeed, Haq Fareed and Ijaz had suffered injuries in the attack.