19 people kidnapped for ransom from Peshawar this month

NO LAW???

PESHAWAR: At least 19 people have been kidnapped from the provincial metropolis since the beginning of the current month, Daily Times learnt on Tuesday.

The increasing cases of kidnapping for ransom and other street crimes are a blow to tall claims of the provincial government and security agencies to protect lives and property of the people.

According to official figures, at least 19 people were kidnapped from the provincial metropolis, while 18 cases of kidnapping for ransom were registered in different police stations of the city.

The figures show that at least 59 accused were involved in these kidnappings and nine of them were arrested, while around 50 are still at large. Eight kidnapped persons were recovered, while 11 are still in the custody of kidnappers.

Official sources told Daily Times that increasing cases of kidnapping for ransom from the city and ongoing militancy has deteriorated the security situation in the provincial metropolis.

The officials said that ongoing militancy has facilitated kidnappers and many notorious criminals have joined the ranks of militants and are disturbing the security situation of the city.

The officials further said that the police was showing all good picture, while in reality the situation is deteriorating with each passing day.

The officials said that lack of cooperation among intelligence agencies and security organisations, weak firepower of law enforcement agencies and arrival of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from other parts of the province and tribal areas has also adversely affected the security situation.

On December 28, 2008, an operation code-named Daraghlam (Arriving) was launched in the adjacent Khyber Agency to clear Jamrud from militants and kidnappers and also to ensure safety of NATO supplies, but the kidnappings are going on with the same frequency that casts a shadow over the utility of the operation.

The city traders have hung black banners in all major bazaars and markets, demanding of the provincial government to resign in the face of growing cases of kidnapping for ransom, of which the trader community has been a prime target over the past few months. At the same time, street crimes are also on the rise as the police is engaged in fighting militancy.

Sources in police department said that around 380 incidents of street crimes including dacoities, snatching of motorcycles, cash, cellular phones and other incidents occurred during the ongoing month.

Although Peshawar city had been politically volatile due to prevailing situation in Afghanistan and tribal areas, but was considered to be very safe as compared to other cities even two years back. However, militancy not only sowed the seeds of fear in the minds of citizens, but also unleashed the forces of lawlessness in the provincial capital, other parts of the province and FATA.

Peshawar police has got a new chief, Safwat Ghayyur, known to be very tough and delivering cop, and police also has a new setup including SSP Operations and SPs of Rural, Cantonment and City Circles.

One could only hope for improvement in the situation in the coming days with these changes.