Lahore: Following two Deaths in Sargodha and Faisalabad due to stray kite strings last Saturday, the Punjab police have escalated their crackdown on kite flying across the province.
Monitoring social media platforms has become increasingly challenging for law enforcement, as it is suspected that major dealers are distributing kites, chemical strings, and narcotics. Numerous reports indicate that hundreds of illicit websites are engaging in such activities to target potential buyers.
A recent viral video depicting a young man suffering a severe throat laceration, resulting in his immediate demise, has drawn attention to the perilous nature of the activity. Similarly, another tragic incident involving the death of a child allegedly caused by a stray kite in Sargodha has raised concerns among Punjab police officials.
The gravity of these incidents prompted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to convene a meeting on Sunday to address law and order issues and the prevailing crime situation. During the meeting, she mandated a crackdown on the production, sale, and purchase of chemical strings. Additionally, she reviewed the overall crime scenario, including instances of child and women abuse and drug-related offenses.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) provided an update on police measures taken to curb kite flying and tackle crime. The chief minister instructed the IGP to furnish daily reports on enforcement actions against violators of anti-kite flying laws, and to assess the performance of police personnel in managing crime situations.
Furthermore, it was agreed to devise an effective strategy against drug trafficking. Chief Minister Nawaz directed the registration of cases against major drug traffickers based on incontrovertible evidence, and to establish legal mechanisms to curb the online sale of drugs in educational institutions.
“Mere registration of cases is insufficient; perpetrators must face consequences,” she emphasized, urging the police to take decisive measures to reduce incidents of molestation. She also emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for no-go areas anywhere in Punjab.
Subsequent to the chief minister’s directives, the IGP instructed regional and district police officers to intensify operations against violators.
During the meeting, it was revealed that between January 1 and March 21, the police had filed 7,979 First Information Reports (FIRs) against manufacturers, sellers, and flyers of kites, marking a 74 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, 8,447 suspects were apprehended this year, reflecting a 188 percent increase from the 2,935 arrests made in 2023.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
