In certain regions of upper Sindh and southern Punjab, particularly the riverine katcha areas along the Indus River, a state of lawlessness has taken hold, where even law enforcement agencies hesitate to operate, and criminal gangs wield significant power. Unfortunately, those responsible for maintaining order are not immune to criminal threats, as exemplified by the recent abduction of five policemen, including an SHO, in the Khanpur area of Shikarpur.
These policemen were reportedly taken hostage by bandits from the Kot Shahu police station in retaliation for the arrest of a wanted criminal in Sukkur a few days earlier. This incident is just one among several instances of law enforcement personnel being kidnapped by these criminal groups. Regrettably, kidnapping for ransom has become a thriving enterprise in these rural areas of Sindh and Punjab, where innocent individuals are held captive until their families pay substantial ransom.
Despite numerous operations launched against these criminals, including the most recent joint effort involving police, the Rangers, and the military under the Sindh Apex Committee, these actions have not succeeded in breaking the grip of these criminals over the riverine belt.
While the challenging terrain of the katcha areas poses undeniable difficulties, it is perplexing how, in the modern era, security forces have been unable to quell violence and eliminate these bandits. These criminals flaunt their activities on social media platforms like TikTok and brandish military-grade weaponry, while law enforcement agencies in both Sindh and Punjab struggle to bring an end to the ‘dacoit raj’ in the riverine belt.
The PPP, which has governed Sindh for the past 15 years, and successive Punjab governments, which have often neglected the southern regions, share responsibility for the current situation. Even caretaker administrations have failed to effectively address this ongoing issue. Security agencies must account for how these bandits have acquired access to modern weaponry typically reserved for battlefields. Instead of sporadic efforts, a comprehensive plan is imperative, involving both provincial administrations, to rid these area of bandits and ensure that the region’s residents can lead peaceful lives.
Simultaneously, efforts should be directed towards addressing the root causes of crime in the rural belts, providing the youth with viable socioeconomic opportunities to deter them from turning to criminal activities.
