Sindh decides to equip police with ‘anti-riot gear'

KARACHI: In an attempt to tackle protesters and rioters from disturbing the law and order situation, the government of Sindh has decided to equip its police force with ‘anti-riot gear’, ARY News reported.

According to details, the government is in process to buy at least 20,000 batons for the police force so they could ‘handle’ protesters in future.

It has also been decided to buy 9mm pistols for police personnel.

The provincial government is also considering establishing anti-riot force at districts’ level. The new force will be given special training to cope with any violent situation.

The decision to equip police force with anti-riot gear was taken following recent violent protests countrywide in the wake of acquittal of Asia Bibi in a blasphemy case. Thousands of protesters took to the streets against the top court decision and vandalized public property, hence drawing ire of the government.

The federal government, however, entered a deal with protesters to convince them call off their demonstration. But the government ministers later went public with a statement that anybody who took law into their hands during the protests would now be dealt with an iron hand.

In a subsequent action, over 1000 rioters were rounded up by law enforcement agencies across the country in a move to take action against them.