President Asif Ali Zardari has called for bringing riverine, commonly known as katcha area, dacoits, who lay down their weapons, into the mainstream while strict action against others.

While presiding over a meeting on security in Sukkur, he also stressed the need for rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals involved in smaller crimes into society as responsible and productive citizens.

The inspector general of police briefed the participants on the security situation in the province and the challenges posed by them in the riverine areas.

“We must work towards improving the social and economic conditions in the riverine areas and build basic infrastructure like roads, healthcare, and education,” he said and called for the formation of a national jirga (council) comprising tribal elders from the riverine areas to facilitate dialogue with the local population and help improve the security situation.

The president hoped that the jirga would help in preventing crimes and making the area free from weapons.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, MNA Syed Khursheed Shah, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh Assembly speaker, federal and provincial ministers, Rangers, and military officials attended the meeting.

Officials briefed the president on the law and order situation and reviewed the actions taken on the decisions taken in the last meeting on May 1. They added that “due to the effective strategy of the police and Rangers, a declining trend in crime and violence” has been observed, particularly in Karachi and other volatile areas of Sindh.

IGP Gulam Memon stated that there has been a “significant reduction” in robbery and no major crimes have been reported on the highways over the past two months. The installation of smart cameras and targeted operations has assisted in curbing crimes and identifying and apprehending the perpetrators, Memon added.

The Rangers director general briefed that the Sindh Police and Rangers have conducted 133 joint operations, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of dacoits and criminal elements. Additional checkpoints have been established in various troubled neighbourhoods to maintain control over the situation.

A crackdown against drug peddlers has been intensified and 308 drug dealers have been arrested. Furthermore, smart cameras are being installed to monitor the internal routes of the province.

The president stated that the Sindh police must be restructured along modern lines to effectively address the security challenges and requirements of the province.

They should be provided with modern equipment, weapons, adequate human resources, and improved logistics to enhance their capabilities, he said and stressed the need for boosting the morale of police personnel to ensure efficient discharge of their duties.

While appreciating the role of women in police, the president directed the authorities to encourage their greater participation. He also instructed that the welfare of the families of martyred police personnel be ensured.

Zardari further directed the expeditious provision of land for the establishment of a Police Cadet College in Sindh, where selected students would be trained and subsequently inducted into the Sindh Police.