HAFIZABAD - As many as 141 proclaimed offenders were arrested and stolen cattle worth Rs.1.7 million were recovered during the last four weeks, said District Police Officer Karamatullah Malik here.
Addressing a first press conference after he assumed the charge of his office, the DPO added that out of the arrested ones, 27 proclaimed offenders were wanted in murders, dacoity, gang rape cases while 61 were court absconders and 35 rustlers.
He said that integrated plan had been chalked out to tighten noose around the outlaws to make the district crime-free. He said that in case of any heinous crime in the area, all the 16 entry and exit points including three motorway interchanges would be sealed. At the interchanges, he said, check posts were being set up and CCTV cameras will be installed. He further said that the police would launch crackdowns against fireworks and aerial firing. He added that the police would also start crackdown against the vehicles bearing fake number plates and unregistered ones.
He said that police officers had been directed to deal with outlaws sternly, adding that station head officers had been warned of strict action if they were found negligent while performing their duties. He said that CIA staff had been activated and it had recovered two stolen cars, arrested 10 POs, seized 126 litres of liquor and 365 grams of heroin during the last one month.
“Moreover, mini SHOs are being posted in all the 42 union councils and informal reconciliation committees are being set up to reduce crime rate. In the city area, Muhafiz Squads would ensure round the clock patrolling,” he said. “The district police during the month seized 11 kilograms of charas, five kilograms heroin, 545 litres of liquor, unearthed five stills and sent 34 drug peddlers to jail.”
One Kalashnikov, 47 pistols, five rifles, two guns were also seized from 88 anti-social elements, he added. Besides, three gangs of dacoits have been smashed and stolen goods worth Rs.1.6 million and firearms were recovered from their possession, he said.
To a question, the DPO said that he is fighter and would make concerted efforts to make the district crime-free. He considered media as his team and sought their cooperation to achieve the goal. He said that the police had so far failed to trace the perpetrators in the biggest dacoity in a jewellers’ shop in Hafizabad despite the lapse of over two months. He expressed the hope that the police would arrest the criminals soon.