October 2008:
B-34 -- Soon after Eid holidays, the tenants in B-34, first floor, returned at around 1330 hours from a money exchanger in Bahadurabad area. Robbers followed the lady's car, and within a blink of any eye robbed her at her doorstep, and shot her 3 times in her leg. She luckily, by grace of God, survied this ordeal, but lost a major amount.
Our 'hesitant' Guard Gulsher, on prompting by Mr. Iqbal, B-33, fired at the robbers, but they fired back on the guard, and fled on a motorbike. These were 2 fat men, in Police uniforms, and both were wearing helmets. (A sure sign of trouble in our society, as even one person does not wear a helmet, so why the both of them were helmeted!)
It is to be noted that very few neighbours visited the victim and her family:
حادثہ سے بڑا حادثہ یہ ہوا
لوگ ٹھہرے نہیں حادثہ دیکھ کر
(ہروفیسر عنایت علی خان)
(It should be noted that earlier tenant Mr. Zia too had been robbed in a similar manner at the doorsteps a few months ago.)
18 October 2008:
At ishaa prayers time, at least two robbers barged in to R-5, ground floor, and robbed a family. They used abusive language againt the family, and after robbing their jewelery and cash, they quickly fled.
This house is owned by one Mr. Aqil Lodhi, who is a renowned lawyer and a prominent member of Sindh bar council. He lives on the first floor, and he was saved from this ordeal, by grace of God.
This area is guarded by a night time Chowkidaar, Ajmal.
October 2008
It was early morning when residents of B-94 returned from airport. Within a few minutes their radio-tape player was removed.
November 2008
In B-44, about 4 robbers tried to break in at Fajr time. They successfully entered the house, but ADT system created noise, and they fled.
This area is also 'guarded' by a night time Chowkidar, Ajmal.
November 2008
House B-39 was victimised twice in one day! And they have been victimised 3 times now.
Car accessories thieves struck in the early morning at abuot 6 AM. Khwaja saheb's new driver Fayyaz saw this and caught one of the younger thieves.
After a good beating by Mohallah people, the young lad was handed over to some law agencies by one Mr. Irfan living near by.
It is interesting to note that though Chowkidar Ajmal had no role in capturing the thief, he is reported to be taking its credit for himself. It is recommended that Mohallah people keep a watch on this watchman himself. Due to his inefficiencies and suspect activities he has been removed and banned from our street for many months now. Ajmal has also given death threats to Mr. Iqbal (B-33), and to Mr. Hashim (B-97) with a warning to not to tread on his 'turf'.
Later in the day, when Khawaja saheb returned from a money exchanger in Hasan Square, a motorcyclist followed him and robbed him at his doorsteps. The robber quickly fled.
Khwaja Saheb's house was also robbed in early day time a few months ago, when robbers entered his house through an open gate, assisted by the maid and a gardener, who had kept the gate open .... whether they did it on purpose is not known.
Our Safeguarding Actions
We have now 2 armed guards now, to work on a 24 hours basis. (Day time guard Gulsher started on 10 July, and second night time guard Mehraab has started on 5 November 2008.)
Also, we have removed and banned the old Chowkidaar, Ajmal, from our street.
Also we invited Colonel (R) Nazim, C-107, who is running a security agency to see our arrangements. He gave us some advices, including to speed up the guards registration and verification processes and fingerprints recording. He is also of the view that their salaries should not be more than 7,500. This is what he is charging for providing uniformed, armed, trained, and verified guards. But they are to be provided with food and shelter and bathrooms. Even a temporary type of tent costing Rs. 3,500 is usable, which can be pitched on any empty ground.
We are also trying, from time to time, to educate our guards in recognition of unusual events. But this requires some experience, along with this training.
