Observer Report
The city police have decided to fit electronic devices to the bodies of criminal elements in the city under the E-tagging system to monitor their activities, it has been learnt.
According to details, the initiative was taken by the incumbent AIG Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon in September 2019 and after recently finalizing its recommendations, it would be sent to the Sindh government for approval.
We have prepared the recommendations and will soon implement the E-tagging system after getting a nod and budgetary approval from the provincial government, the AIG had said.
Under this project, any person who is fitted with the electronic chip will not be able to remove it and whenever he would try to dismantle it from his body, he will get an electric shock.
Further, the police would also be alarmed over any such move or any attempt to go out of the premises he or she is bound to remain in through GPS tracking system. According to sources, the project would also minimize the cost of the expenditure incurred on a single prisoner.
The single device will cost Rs 15,000, far less than the food and travel expenditure of the prisoner, who had to be brought on every hearing to the court from the prison by police authorities, they said.
The project would include criminals involved in street crime activities, female accused, drug peddlers and the ones convicted for six months over any criminal activity.
The project by the Karachi police will also help the law enforcement authorities in monitoring street criminal elements, who indulge in their criminal activities after being acquitted or released on bail.
Meanwhile, “The police department will initiate area-wise monitoring of more than 10,000 suspected criminals, whereas, a high-level officer in each police station and over 400 officials will be given task to keep eye on suspects,” he announced.
“The officer will be bound to report higher authorities regarding the suspect found involved in criminal activities again [after being released].” Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon clarified that the decision will not be implemented for the police officers who are already performing duties, however, the new appointments will be made after conducting exams and interviews.
