Residents of Ichra Friday staged protest demonstration against the Ichra police station SHO and his subordinate for allegedly patronising criminals and harassing the citizens of the area.
The residents said that Ichra police SHO Haji Khalid Pervaiz has failed to control crime in the area and that he himself was behind the drug paddlers and the gamblers in the Shah Jamal area.
They added that under the supervision of SHO sub-inspector Sarwar, driver Salim, and Khalil have strong bond with criminal elements that have destroyed peace of mind of the citizens.
They informed that sub inspector Sarwar, driver Salim and Khlil are working in the police station for the last 20 years.
After spending short time in other police station, they got themselves appointed at the Ichra police station due to their connections with people in the power corridors, they alleged, and added that gamblers and drug paddlers gathered near Shah Jamal Shrine and hold horse race and conducted drug business.
They said that young generation of the area is being destroyed by the criminal elements.
“Our children are also at risk of being addicted and gamblers,” Aslam, a resident of Shah Jamal colony said.
Ichra Bazar trader Anwar Ali said that they cannot conduct their business as criminal elements under the supervision of Ichra police have made safe heavens in the areas.
They added that on a daily basis these criminals loot items worth thousands of rupees from the shops in the bazaar.
They also said that driver Salim, Khalil often took away thousands of rupees lunch and dinner in the name of SHO and Sub-Inspector Sarwar.
They complained that the police in exchange of huge amounts let the criminals go and never held them.
Protesters said that the police was harassing the respected residents of the area and is in hand and glove with the criminals.
They urged the chief minister, CCPO and DIG Punjab to take notice of the issue or else they will stage demos in front of Punjab assembly and Lahore Press Club.