Interim CM gives blanket approval for clean-up operation against dacoits in Riverine area
Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar presiding over an overall law & order at the DC Office reviewed the arrangements of the upcoming full and final but what he termed a `decisive’ operation against the dacoits in the Riverine Area for which he gave blanket approvals of all the requirements.
The meeting was attended by Minister Home Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz, IG Police Riffat Mukhtar, DIG Sukkur Hamid Khoso, DIG Larkana Javed Jaskani and SSPs of different districts of Sukkur and Larkana divisions and other concerned officers.
Gangs: The CM was told that there were 14 gangs of dacoits in Katcha area of Shikarpur and Kashmore. At this, the CM said that the operation meant the elimination of the dacoits in the area.
Talking about the strategies, the IG Police told the CM that the right man for the right job policy has been finalised for the placement in the clean-up operation. He added that the analysis of CDRs of criminals, their relatives, B-parties and facilitators are being identified.
The CM was told that black sheep had been identified in the police force and action against them was in progress so that the strategy and line of action of the operation may not leak to the dacoits.
The CM said that the police must take steps to curb honey traps. He suggested deployment of the policemen in plain clothes at the frequently used stops should be made apart from setting up police pickets at the routes used by the honey trappers. At this, the IG police told the CM that they had identified 42 such points where the deployment would be made.
The IG Police said that the intelligence-based search operation at hotels, bus stops, and crossing points has been started and specialised IT teams have been working on honey-trapping.
The CM was also told that 1680 police check posts were being established in the Katcha area of Kashmore and Shikarpur where 1680 policemen would be deployed before the launch of the operation.
The IG police said that two mini-police lines in Kashmore and one in Shikarpur were being established. The mini police lines would be the facilities of the school of snipper training, lodging facilities, welfare wing, MT Section, and a kitchen. He said that a joint control room of Kashmore and Shikarpur would also be established for monitoring and necessary action.
Achievements: The IG police sharing the achievements of the Larkana Range police said that 49 encounters were carried out, in which three dacoits were killed, 13 injured, 26 arrested, 1061 absconders arrested, and 50 weapons were recovered and were saved from the honey trap.
The IG police talking about Sukkur Range said that the police have developed a three-layer blockade such as the establishment of Dyke along the embankment, Ghotki Feeder, and Mureed Shaakh side and disruption of the supply line.
The Chief Minister directed the police to coordinate with the Punjab Police and police of the Balochistan. “I have already spoken with the Punjab Chief minister, and he has made necessary arrangements to attack the dacoits at a time when the Sindh police and Balochistan Police would start the operation.
The Ig police assured the CM that a joint meeting of all three IGPs would be convened before starting the operation clean-up.
When the Police raised the issue of funds and sensitive equipment and gadgets he told them that he was giving them `blanket’ approval of each and every requirement at the condition of a result-oriented and decisive operation. “I am sure after this operation, no news of kidnapping for ransom would ever be heard,” he concluded.
Editor: Raja Kamran