Lahore: CM orders 25 model police stations in city

[Naveed Yaseen]

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has directed police to take effective measures for the protection of life and property of citizens as well as promotion of a sense of security among the masses. He also directed that patrolling in the provincial metropolis should be further intensified so that timely action could be taken against criminals.

The CM stated this while presiding over a meeting regarding law and order on Saturday in which the incidents of crime in Lahore during the last four months as well as police efficiency were reviewed in detail. Secretary Home, Additional IG CID and Special Branch, DIG Investigation, SSP Operation as well as concerned officers were present.

The CM also directed transformation of 25 police stations of Lahore into model police stations, professional training of newly recruited assistant sub inspectors and constables as well as arrangements for special lectures by Islamic scholars and intellectuals for their moral training. He also directed setting up of a high level committee to submit recommendations within two weeks for police reforms.

Shahbaz said that maintenance of law and order was the prime responsibility of police force and, contrary to the past tradition, all transfers and postings in police department were being made purely on merit. He said the honest and hardworking officers had been given field duties due to which positive results were being achieved, however, much was yet to be done. He said the traditional culture of police stations had not changed yet while there was a need for adopting an effective vigilance and monitoring system for rooting out crimes.

He said that an analysis of crimes committed in provincial metropolis should be carried out in the light of which, besides deputing additional force at important highways and places, patrolling system should also be reorganized. He said the recent incidents on some important highways could have been prevented while the criminal elements involved in these cases of murder and violence could have been nabbed if police patrolling system had been effective.

He said the police should be a symbol of terror for criminals and adopt a comprehensive strategy for dealing with anti-social elements. The chief minister further said no society could survive without the supremacy of law and provision of justice and concerted efforts were needed for checking cruelty and oppression. He said he had received complaints in open courts that criminal elements were roaming freely in some areas with the connivance of police who were later arrested on his warning. He said this practice should immediately be checked and stern action should be taken against the criminals otherwise concerned officials would not be spared.

Shahbaz Sharif also directed that a comprehensive plan should be evolved for the training of newly recruited assistant sub inspectors at police station Sehala and he would personally select trainers for these Jawans. He said that besides professional training of newly recruited constables, lectures should also be arranged by prominent Islamic scholars and intellectuals for their moral training. He also ordered formation of a special committee to formulate recommendations for police reforms. He also directed Home Secretary to ensure installation of close circuit TVs at all banks and money changers. He said the Gujranwala police had recently arrested a notorious proclaimed offender from aboard while Lahore police also apprehended a number of criminals.

DIG Investigation and SSP Operation Lahore informed the meeting that Lahore police had arrested a number of criminals involved in heinous crimes and out of these six criminals carried head money. They said progress was being made into investigation of recent crimes of serious nature.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=157788