The Lahore Police smashed over 79 criminal gangs, arrested their 260 members and recovered looted property worth Rs 84 million during one and half months of the current year. Around six thousand court absconders and proclaimed offenders have also been nabbed, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Muhammad Pervez Rathore disclosed in a special meeting of senior police officers held on Friday.
The meeting was informed that around 575 cases had also been traced against the 260 accused, including 11 of dacoity, 209 of robbery, 245 of burglary and 110 other cases. Likewise, during the year 2010, the Lahore Police has recovered booty worth Rs 15.96 million, including more than Rs 3.6 million in cash, 78 tola gold ornaments, 96 motorcycles, 242 cell phones, two pickups and rickshaws, one truck, and other precious items.
In its vigorous campaign against outlaws, the Lahore Police has also arrested 3,430 proclaimed offenders, out of which 114 were involved in murder cases, 104 in attempted murder, 103 in dacoity, 233 in robbery, 421 in burglary and 2455 in other miscellaneous cases.
During the drive against illegal weapons, 692 cases were registered and 692 accused were arrested, following recovery of three Kalashnikovs, 21 rifles, 36 guns, 589 pistols and revolvers, 10 carbines, nine daggers, 26 hand grenades, five detonators, 128 magazines and 3,373 bullets from their possession.
The Lahore Police also arrested 1,568 drug pushers and seized more than four kg heroin, 334 kg hashish, three kg opium, 89 injections and 2,597 bottles of liquor, while it also arrested 1389 gamblers and seized stake money, worth Rs 2.9 million. The CCPO said that foolproof arrangement would be ensured at bus stands and railway stations, besides ensuring comprehensive screening of their passengers' luggage.
The CCPO further ordered that transporters should be asked to ensure complete checking of passengers before getting into buses. In the current situation, foolproof security could only be ensured by giving up VIP culture and ensuring comprehensive checking and screening of all the vehicles, including vehicles with government number plates, at all police pickets and before entering all important offices in the city.
The CCPO said that during the current year, the Lahore Police would also leave no stone unturned for the eradication of crime and protection of life and property of the people. He said that due to comprehensive strategy and effective patrolling, crime rate has gone down in the city. The CCPO said those police officers who fail to achieve their required targets of arresting criminals, stern action would be taken against them.