Street crimes, on the rise in the Railway quarters of Dhok Ratta, have turned the area into a den of criminals and robbers.
The lack of streetlights plunges the area in complete darkness at night. This gives open license to criminals to loot and rob whoever ventures outside their homes.
Nasima Bibi, a house wife, said, “Purse and mobile snatching incidents have become common. We can not go outside our homes from the evening onwards even to take a patient to the doctor as gangs of robbers and criminals continue to roam the streets and roads, ready to pounce on their prey regardless of whether they were men or women or children.”
Shahida, a house wife, said, “I was on my way to a dispensary to consult the doctor as my daughter was ill. A few yards ahead of my home, a group of criminals intercepted me and snatched my purse at gun point.” “We can not even send our children to buy essential commodities from shops in our own street as no one can ensure their safe return home,” said a group of residents.
A public park located in the area was the safe haven of these criminals and they acted without fear of repercussion due to a lack of police patrolling.
Residents demanded immediate measures to be taken for cleansing the area of criminals otherwise they would be forced to hold protest rallies.