20000129

20 'expert' dacoits loot

5 weaving factories

in night-long robbery

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: At least 20 genmen raided five textile factories in the SITE area on Tuesday night, remained there for nine hours, from 9 p.m to 6 a.m stripped huge machines, loaded them on four large trailers and took them away to unknown places.

This organised loot even frustrated the weavers to consider a strike against the dacoity as they received scant attention or help from the administration. It was with great difficulty that an FIR was got registered by the police but no action had been to locate or trace the culprits up to Friday evening by the police.

All five factories have been closed, over 100 workers have been relieved of their jobs and export orders have been cancelled.

The high tech dacoits seemed to know every part of the machines and took allmost all sophisticated and costly parts of the weaving machines.

They also took away some heavier parts including cloth rollers. A roller weighs about 8 to 10 maunds.

They took away about 100,000 metres of cloth loading it on four big trailers which they had brought with them. "They loaded it and drove away at about sunrise and agencies maintaining law and order returned to their duty," said one of the weaver who is the victim of the dacoity.

"This was the first biggest dacoity after the military took over the charge of the country. We have contacted the Sindh Governor, Interior Minister, I G and DIG and are waiting for a meeting," said Khalid Amin, a former chairman of Pakistan Silk and Yarn Merchant Association.

He said that only one FIR has been registered against the dacoity in the five weaving mills.

"We have informed all trade bodies in the country. We will hold a crucial meeting in Faisalabad on January 31. The meeting will consider a proposal to observe a one-day strike against this well-organised loot to invite the attention of the government on this serious situation," said Amin.

The victims said that the dacoits have threatened the mill-owners and advised them to avoid informing police.

They said they cannot run the factories at least for three months. Even if the parts taken away by the dacoits are provided immediately, the machines will take one month to start.

"We were producing cloth for exporters. Now they will have to cancel their export orders," said a weaver.

The extent of losses in terms of money is still being assessed.

Following press release has been issued by the Pakistan Silk and Rayon Mills Association.

"Silk and rayon millers have expressed grave concerns over the rising trend of dacoity which continued for nine hours on January 25, and looted all kind of costly equipment and cash from five weaving mills in SITE area.

The Pakistan Silk and Rayon Mills Association called an emergency meeting of the central body of the association.

"The association condemned the "heinous act of dacoity committed on Al-Azmat Compound, SITE area where five weaving mills are situated."

"About 20 armed persons/dacoits entered the above premises and made hostages the staff and workers of MS Industries, A B Industries, Bismah Industries and others.

"Dacoits stayed their from 9 p.m to 6 a.m and took away valuable parts of Sulzar Projectile Looms, large quantity of the yarn, fabrics, cloth, cash and guns of the "Chowkidar". This dacoity was for millions of rupees.

PSRMA appeal to the Chief Executive, Governor Sindh, Interior Minister, IG, DIG Police Sindh, that stern and immediate measures should be taken to arrest the culprits and recovery of stolen goods."

PSRMA urged the government that in this grave law and order situation where necessary shelter and safeguards on part of the government is not guaranteed, it will be difficult for business community to run the factories. The weaving industries situated at SITE Karachi generate a large part of the revenue for government exchequer.