Poppy cultivation, kidnappings down to zero in Sar-i-Pul: Police

SAR-I-PUL CITY (Pajhwok): Poppy cultivation and kidnap incidents have been brought down to zero and other crimes cut by 80 percent in northern Sar-i-Pul province, a police official said on Wednesday.

Police chief Mawlavi Abdul Basir Mazhari said in a meeting a well-equipped coordination unit had been established to ensure improved security in the province.

He noted an 80 percent fall in the crime rate, saying:: “Poppy cultivation and kidnappings have dropped to zero and there is no militant activity in the province.”

Police spokesman Din Muhammad Nazari said 660 criminal incidents had happened  in the last two years, including 59 theft, 50 Illicit affairs and rape, 45 murder, 9 kidnapp, 86 beating and 176 forgery and fraud cases.

He added 700 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incidents and their cases referred to judicial organs.

According to Nazari 29 people possessing illegal weapons were detained and 36 arms of different types recovered from them by counter-terrorism personnel.

Over the last two years, 400 acres of land were cleaned of poppy and hashish plants and 15 drug labs destroyed,

During the period, 15 tonnes of yam plants, 100 kilograms of opium, 17 kg of charas, 470 litres of alcohol, six kg of shisha and 300 litres of chemicals were also seized.

hz/mud