Cops step up ops over market shootings

On the run: Myanmar illegal immigrants trying to escape the police raid in Selayang market.

KUALA LUMPUR: The police have stepped up their operation over the Selayang market incident, with 53 more suspects rounded up.

This brings to 176 the total number of suspects nabbed since the incident, in which a two-year-old boy was shot and wounded.

Police have enlisted the help of City Hall, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Immigration Department, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), National Anti-drugs Agency (AADK) and JPJ in their all out “war” against those involved.

Sentul OCPD Asst Comm R. Munusamy said the 53, comprising locals and foreigners, were detained for various offences after 202 people were screened at the market area.

“One man was arrested for a traffic offence, while 22, including two Myanmars, were caught for drug-related offences,’’ he said, adding that among those arrested were Indonesians, Bangladeshis and a Nepali. Police also confiscated 5.54gm of heroin.

ACP Munusamy said that while the operation was prompted by a recent skirmish, the Selayang market area had always been a hotbed for crime.

“We have been planning this joint operation for a long time. Our five areas of concentration are traffic enforcement, anti-drugs enforcement, cracking down on gangsterism, illegal immigrants and unlicensed traders,” he told reporters yesterday.

In an unrelated incident, a man was found dead with five stab wounds near the Selayang market.

ACP Munusamy said witnesses claimed the man was attacked by two men on a motorcycle.

“A different operation was conducted between Jan 14 and 21 to clamp down on gangsterism and illegal immigrants.

“We arrested 123 people, including locals, Pakistanis, Vietnamese nationals, Nepalis, Bangladeshis and Indian nationals, throughout the operation.

“Among those arrested were 83 Myanmars.

“Three of them were detained in connection with the murder case,” he said.