PSL festivities overshadow police troubles

Police officers claim inadequate accommodation arrangements as well

Police personnel from other districts of Punjab deployed as part of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL’s) security arrangements have alleged mistreatment including not being given adequate food while on duty.

Speaking to Minute Mirror, the officers on duty said that they had an eight-hour shift, which lasted from 10 to 11 hours a day.

On the condition of anonymity, the constables said they were given a box of rice and juice once while on duty, which did not reach them often. The biggest reason for this was due to the decision made regarding their duty points. They have been unable to get in touch with drivers and staff due to jammers, which has often left them without food.

The constables said that the food they got was cold and water was not provided with it. They also mentioned the food was poor in quality. They further said they had to eat out of their own pockets after the shift because department only gave food once. Paying out of pocket made things difficult for them.

Besides, Lahore Dolphin officials were also on duty but they were not being given food by the police headquarters. The Dolphin team told Minute Mirror that other officers were given food in front of them and but they were asked to take food from their department.

On the other hand, Elite Force personnel from other cities had been stationed at Dolphin Township Headquarters while Punjab Constabulary personnel had been stationed at Qila Gujar Singh Police Station.

Officials told Minute Mirror that accommodation arrangements were also very poor. The police station was already short of space and there was no arrangement for overnight stay due to which they were in a very difficult situation.

On the other hand, inspectors and deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) who came from other cities for PSL special duty, due to poor arrangements made by the department, had to stay with their badge mates posted in Lahore instead of the department itself.

A DSP on duty from another city told Minute Mirror that, “Police department failed to ensure satisfactory arrangements this time as compared to the previous PSL.” He added that Headquarters Superintendent of Police (SP) Ijaz Malhi and Headquarters DSP Muzaffar Ikram had just been posted at the police headquarters. He said that Ikram was earlier Garden Town’s DSP and had extensive field posting experience but no expertise in administrative matters.

An important meeting of senior officers of Lahore police was held on Saturday at Capital City Police Headquarters to review the security arrangements of the final PSL match, which would be played at Gaddafi Stadium.

To ensure the security of PSL, 161 Elite Force personnel and 1,600 Punjab Constabulary personnel have been called in from other districts of Punjab. Traffic officers from other districts of Punjab have also been on duty to monitor the route.

Duaa Mirza is a correspondent covering crime, social issues and law enforcement. She is the youngest crime reporter and the only woman who visits crime scenes on her motorbike. She tweets @DuaaMirza12.