RAWALPINDI, Jan 8: Police “success stories” provided to the press turned out to be a farce when compared with the original statistics available with the police department, showing a considerable rise in murders, attempted murders and abduction of women cases during last year.

The statistics collected from the police department showed that 12,563 cases were registered in 2001, against 11,822 cases registered during 2000. The value of stolen goods was Rs159.09 million last year, but the goods recovered by the police were not more than Rs74.82 million, the statistics showed.

A press release issued by the PRO to the SSP Rawalpindi claimed that due to better police planning there had been a considerable fall in murders, attempted murders, kidnapping, armed robberies and car-lifting incidents.

However, the police statistics show that 182 murder cases were reported with Rawalpindi district police in 2000, against 210 cases registered last year. Similarly, 348 attempted murder cases were reported during 2000, against 359 cases registered in 2001.

The statistics also indicate an alarming rise in kidnapping and abduction incidents, as 222 cases were registered in 2001, compared to 192 cases reported in 2000.

Shahnaz Bukhari, a women rights activist, commenting over the rise in kidnapping and abduction cases in the district, said: “Rate of conviction is very poor, and due to loopholes in our legal system, crimes against women have increased.”

According to police statics, 288 cases of dacoity and robbery (382 PPC) were registered with the police last year, against 367 cases reported under the two heads in 2000.

The rate of motor vehicle theft showed a decline last year with 224 incidents reported to the police, compared to 599 cases registered in 2000.