KARACHI, March 12: The police hierarchy is facing difficulties finding an officer to head the force in the troubled Lyari area, where the law and order situation seems to be at its lowest ebb. Sources in the police department said that MNA-elect from Lyari Nabeel Gabol has requested the police authorities for a new officer to head the area where the gang warfare has resurfaced following a relative lull.

It is worth noting that generally, police officers – irrespective of their rank – try to avoid postings in Lyari Town due to the volatile nature of the area.

As one officer put it, “Lyari is practically ungovernable and just a routine transfer posting of an SP-rank officer to maintain law and order in the area is not the solution.”

The gangsters have been known to take cover behind women and children in the area, often taking them hostage, the officer said.

“A complete package having the full backing and support of the police hierarchy, deployment of the commando force (ATF) personnel in additional to the local police, proper arms and ammunition and proper vehicles, and above all non-interference of politicians, who try to secure the release of suspects once arrested, are some of the basic requirements which could be described as prerequisites for rooting out gangsters from the area,” the officer explained.

Generally, temporary solutions are preferred by the authorities, which is the only reason why Lyari is still bleeding, said a former DIG Karachi.

Sources said that even competent officers are shying away from taking up the assignment of SP Lyari, let alone the junior rank officers.

Rules of engagement

“There are entirely separate rules of the game in Lyari. For instance, if the police have laid siege to a particular area to flush out suspects, their associates will open fire at public transport in the vicinity in order to divert the police’s attention. Similarly, they use women as cover, hoping that police firing may injure or kill any of them, which could be exploited,” observed a senior police officer.

Every concerted effort to root out the gangsters has failed to yield results. Former Lyari SP Fayyaz Khan brought with him the expertise and training of the crime investigation department where he was earlier posted. Yet soon after his posting in the area, policemen were targeted by the gangsters in an apparent move to break the morale of the police force and the newly posted officer.

Over the years, several operational plans have been chalked out for the crime-infested area, but the frequent transfers and postings of the senior hierarchy have also proved to a major impediment.

Similarly, fears of mass casualties during an operation have also deterred the police from entering the streets of Lyari on several occasions, a senior police officer remarked.

When it comes to postings in Lyari, the morale of the policemen is so low that one excuse after another is proffered to avoid getting transferred to the area.

“It’s better to apply for leave rather then risking your life while performing your doing duty in Lyari,” remarked an assistant sub-inspector requesting anonymity.

Even the investigations police, who are not as exposed as the operations personnel, avoid transfers to Lyari fearing for their lives.

But some 10 years back the situation was quite different from it is now, when every gangster is in possession of a weapon ranging from small firearms to rocket launchers. Back then, policemen didn’t mind being posted to Lyari; in fact, Lyari postings were considered quite lucrative considering the illegal business of drugs, a police officer recalled.

Area people said that cashing in on the opportunity in view of the forthcoming PPP government in Sindh, the notorious Rehman Dakait has started to make his presence felt in the area by targeting his rivals and recapturing lost ground.

Political connections?

It is said that Rehman has enjoyed and continues to enjoy a certain level of political support from different forces at different points in time.

However, PPP legislators have always dispelled the impression that Rehman ever enjoyed their support. In fact, some legislators of the People’s Party blame the intelligence agencies for all of Lyari’s ills.

It is also believed that Rehman had assured the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, when it came to power five years ago, of help in making their presence felt in the area and opening up party offices.

Such reports have been denied by the MQM. A party leader said that it was development work done by the city government during the last two years which helped them get recognition in the area.

Questions have also been raised about former Balochistan chief minister Jam Yousuf’s alleged role in Rehman Dakait’s escape from police custody.

Abdul Rehman Baloch, better known as Rehman Dakait, was arrested on June 18, 2006, from the posh neighbourhood of Jinnah Town in Quetta along with his two children, by personnel of the defunct Lyari Task Force. It is widely believed that officials in the Balochistan Chief Minister’s House knew about Rehman’s presence in Jinnah Town; in fact, some say the CM house had facilitated his stay there.

The tip-off of his presence was provided by an intelligence agency.

However, after remaining in the custody of police and intelligence agencies for three months and four days, the high-profile gangster escaped from police custody early on August 22, 2006, making it his second successful escape from police custody.

He was wanted in more than 100 cases. Earlier in 1997, Rehman had escaped while being taken to court. Throughout his detention, the police high-ups never acknowledge his arrest.

Just four months after Rehman Dakait was arrested from Quetta, his arch-enemy and the Lyari gang war’s other big name, Arshad Pappu, was hunted down and caught by the police courtesy the intelligence agencies in October, 2006.

However, Arshad was not as fortunate as his arch-rival and is currently languishing in jail.