KARACHI – It appears that the attempts to restore peace to Lyari Town have created animosity towards police personnel who have so far underestimated the abilities of criminals and gangsters. The failure of the Police Department is a reflection of the strength and deep roots of the criminal gangs operating in the troubled town. Various policemen and citizens have been killed in the ongoing operation that has held the area people hostage. But, criminals could be seen operating freely. With the Rangers refusing to take part in the operation, the helplessness of the police force and Frontier Constabulary has put a question mark over the government’s willingness to ensure its writ in the restive town. “The government needs to carry out an extensive operation not only in Lyari town but also in other affected parts of the metropolis, where criminals and terrorists belonging to various political and religious parties and banned outfits are playing with the lives of the citizens,” said a group of Lyari residents The Nation talked to on Sunday. Prof Dr Mutahir Ahmed, a senior teacher from the Karachi University, said that innocent people had been taken hostage in the ongoing operation, which seems to be a politically-motivated one. He said, “The state is once again using the old and ineffective tactics, while getting control over the criminals in the town. If the government is interested to eradicate terrorism from the city, then it should launch a grand operation against terrorists and criminals in all parts of the city. There is dire need to create harmony among the people of the city, while surgical operations are not the solution to the problem.” Professor Iftikhar Azmi, general secretary of the Sindh Lecturers’ and Professors’ Association, showed serious concerns over the loss on education front because of the unrest in Lyari. He said that the citizens had been left at the mercy of criminals and politicians. He said that incessant incidents of target killings and the poor law and order situation had become a regular feature of the port city. “There is no writ at all.” On the condition of anonymity, a Baloch journalist, who is a resident of Lyari, said the criminals had taken several civilians hostage, but the government was indifferent towards this problem. He added that the vulnerability of the forces in the operation was really a point of concern. Commenting on the issue, a government officer, wished to be anonymous, said that the police’s failure in the operation was a point of apprehension for every citizen. “The police force has competent officers, who have ability to maintain peace, but they need more powers to tackle with the criminals and gangsters,” he opined. “Lawlessness is on the rise in the economic nerve of the country. Conversely, the government has failed to protect the citizens as political parties are engaged in blame game,” he concluded.