Kidnapping & hostage survival

Kidnapping & hostage survival


I REFER to the letters of S. Ausaf Husain and Faryal Naeem Warind (June 14 and June 20) on kidnapping and would like to endorse the suggestions of the writers and add some important information as regards prevention of kidnapping.

The CPLC has played a vital role in combating the crime of kidnapping for ransom over the years with successful result. However, for the last two years the graph of kidnapping for ransom has gone up to some extent. The reason is the availability of prepaid connections of mobile phone without any documentation.

During investigation of cases, it is revealed that gangs of kidnappers are operating on scores of SIMs at one time, obtained on fake identities. This is the main hurdle faced by the CPLC and law enforcers in handling these cases and other heinous crimes.

The CPLC, from time to time, educates people about security measures vide public awareness programmes through the print media, public forums and its website: www.cplc.org.pk. Some of the important precautionary measures are listed hereunder which can be useful in avoiding a kidnapping situation.

a. Do not set patterns. Vary routes and timings when travelling/walking/ jogging or outing.

b. Use main roads. Avoid badly-lit areas, quiet areas or side alleys.

c. Remember, there is safety in numbers. Avoid going alone. When travelling long distance by an automobile, go in a convoy. Avoid back country roads.

d. When approaching a parked car, ensure that no suspicious person is around. Avoid sitting and waiting in the car.

e. Avoid using luxury or ostentatious cars.

f. Always let someone know your whereabouts.

g. Print visiting cards which do not show designation/position.

h. Be careful whilst inside and when leaving lockers/ banks/ATM.

i. Always install a digital telephone line with caller ID.

j. To avoid child abduction, never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car, not even for a minute. Don't let your child accept rides from strangers.

Lastly, if somebody from your family is kidnapped, be calm. You must inform the CPLC at 5683333/111or the police on 15 for assistance.

SHARFUDDIN MEMON
Chief, CPLC-CRC
Karachi

http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/01/letted.htm

CNG Stations in Residential Areas ... Block 15 Case in Court

KARACHI: SHC stays CNG station in residential area

By Shujaat Ali Khan
KARACHI, July 10: A division bench of the Sindh High Court stayed on Tuesday the construction and installation of a gas pump and station in a residential area of Gulistan-i-Jauhar.

The resident of a bungalow in block 15 of KDA scheme 36 submitted through Advocate Naveed Ahmad Khan that a compressed natural gas station was being set up on the plot (No B-1/1) adjacent to his residence.

The petitioner said that the pump would cause health and environmental hazards. It was all the more hazardous because a cellular tower had already been erected in immediate vicinity.

A division bench comprising Justices Mohammad Moosa K. Laghari and Mrs Qaiser Iqbal restrained the owner of the plot from allowing installation of any gas plant or machinery and issued him and the city and provincial governments notices for August 2. Two different benches had stayed the setting up of gas stations in residential areas in North Nazimabad and PECHS last month.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/11/local3.htm