RAJANPUR: Following death penalty to 20 members of notorious Chotu Gang, the people living in riverine area are feeling themselves more secure.
This was stated by CIA (Police) Incharge District Rajanpur Pervez Akhtar Khan when APP Multan contacted here on Sunday.
He informed, besides people praising the verdict of court, the police officials also satisfied and their morale is high.
He said the people were also lauding the role of Rajanpur police particularly Bangla Ichcha for elimination and bringing the notorious gang to justice and termed it a big achievement.
He informed that the gang was symbol of terror in the riverine area.
He added that the gang was comprised over 80 members.
However, following death penalty to 20 members of the gang and life imprisonment to another two, the remaining criminals had gone underground or left the area. The punishment of death penalty would surely help elimination of crimes in the area, said Pervez.
About role of police, Pervez Khan informed that he himself was pursuing the case in Anti-Terrorism Court Multan.
He observed that he along with 40 other witnesses recorded statements in the courts.
He observed that he and his fellows, were happy to bring the notorious gang to justice.
About the case, he informed, On Apr 13 in 2016, police teams from PS Bangla Ichcha and other police stations in Rajanpur district, riding boats and armed with weapons, had conducted an operation against Chotu Gang criminals and their ring leader
Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu targeted their hideout, a forest area that was surrounded by river Indus from almost two sides.
The police teams, however, came under attack from the criminals that left six policemen including SHO Hanif Ghauri dead and another eight (8) injured.
Twenty four other policemen were taken hostage, however, they were released after suffering nine days of captivity.
Pervez added that he was appointed as SHO Bangla Ichcha following martyrdom of SHO Hanif Ghauri. The case against the gang was registered after application his own application. Bangla Ichcha police successfully chased the case in ATC-1 Multan.
Pervez stated, now, he is serving as Incharge CIA district Rajanpur and extremely satisfied. ATC-1 awarded death penalty to 20 criminals each on 18 counts, he said. To a question about issuance of commendatory certificates to police officials, he stated that police was duty bound to provide security to masses.
He, however, hoped that commendatory certificates would be given to the officials.