KARACHI - The Sindh government’s committee visited the Katchhi IDPs and submitted its initial report to Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, suggesting the government to establish pickets of Police and Rangers to ensure long-lasting peace in Lyari.
The five-member committee comprising Law Minister Dr Sikander Mandhro, Food Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar, Population Minister Ali Mardan Shah, former PPP Senator Taj Haider and Rashid Rabbani visited the displaced people of Katchhi community in Thatta and Badin districts to get information about their miseries.
Talking to The Nation, Taj Haider said the committee has submitted its initial report to the CM, recommending the government to establish Police and Rangers’ check posts in the disturbed areas of Lyari on permanent basis, as the Katchhi community people are also of the same view.
The decision of constituting the committee came in a wake of continuous exodus of Katchhi community people from Lyari to safer places in the city as well as other towns of Sindh including Thatta, Badin and Umerkot during the last one week. The committee was tasked to visit the displaced people and rehabilitate them in their homes in Lyari on urgent basis.
Taj Haider confirmed that at least 3,000 people of Katchhi community left their homes owing to recent violence in the area. Most of the people are staying at their relatives in Badin, Thatta and Umerkot and other makeshifts in the districts. He said the committee has proposed better facilities to the IDPs and bring them back in their homes.
Meanwhile, the Katchhi Rabitta Committee in a statement said that the Sindh government has failed to provide security to the people. It urged the federal government to intervene and provide them security in Lyari.
Prisoners' escape: 6 cops remanded in police custody:  A judicial magistrate on Sunday sent six police officials of Crime Investigation Department (CID) on two day physical remand in a case involving escape of under trial prisoners from court premises.
Two inspectors, who were also among the accused, told the court that other policemen were also present when the prisoners fled the court.
On Saturday, two suspects believed to be involved in the Pirabad blast escaped from the Karachi City Court. The prisoners were brought to the court amidst tight security for an identification parade, where a witness identified them as the criminals involved in the blast. After the hearing was adjourned, the prisoners had managed to flee easily while the CID police officials were taking them back to the jail.
A case was registered against the officers for their negligence. The officers include two inspectors and six constables.
Two of the CID officers - Islam Gul and Hamidullah Niazi - admitted before the court that the escape was a direct result of the officers' neglect.
The court has asked the police to investigate the matter.