September 13, 2002	Friday	Rajab 5, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Sept 12: Despite the introduction of police reforms, the performance (recovery percentage) of Rawalpindi police has dropped drastically from 55 per cent to 34 per cent during the last eight months, statistics collected from police department show.

According to the statistics, valuables worth Rs119,632,043 have either been stolen or looted from January 1, 2002 to August 30. Whereas, in the corresponding period last year, the loss of valuables was to the tune of Rs104,560,189.

The number of cases reported with the Rawalpindi District police during the last eight months were 8,213, the statistics show.

A fall in the number of murder and attempted murder cases has been witnessed during the last eight months. Some 132 murder and 214 attempted murder cases were reported during the period.

The police registered 106 fatal and 219 non-fatal accident cases during the last eight months, whereas 107 and 230 cases were reported under the two categories, respectively, during the corresponding period last year, the statistics show.

As many as 139 cases of kidnapping/abduction were reported during the last eight months, while 154 such cases had been reported in the same period last year. Moreover, 19 rape and two gang rape cases were registered during last eight months.

The main surge was seen in the number of robbery, dacoity and vehicle-lifting incidents, which has sparked concern among the residents.

Some 215 incidents of robbery and dacoity, in which the residents suffered a huge loss of cash and valuables and a trader was also shot dead at Saidpur Road, have been reported during the past eight months. Whereas about 190 such incidents were reported in the corresponding period last year.

Similarly, 450 vehicles were either stolen or snatched at different areas during the last eight months, on an average of about more than one vehicle per day. On the other hand, 375 cases of vehicle theft were reported in the corresponding period last year, the statistics show.

In addition to this, 399 cases of theft, 68 of gambling and 1,214 under the arms ordinance were registered during last eight months. Commenting on the law and order situation in Rawalpindi, Brig Cheema, chief of Crises Management Cell, interior ministry, said the overall situation was satisfactory.

“Security measures have already been taken, however, a lot more needed to be done,” he told Dawn.