BAHAWALPUR, July 24: The crime rate in the district registered an increase during the first quarter of the current calendar year as compared to the corresponding period last year.

Dawn learnt here on Saturday that during the first quarter of 2004, as many as 4,140 cases were registered against 3,461 last year, showing an increase of 679 cases.

However, police claimed that the recovery in the current year's cases was 88 per cent against 85 per cent last year. Cases of murder attempt, dacoity, robbery, cattle-lifting, water theft, and assault on women increased.

There was a sizable decrease in murder cases during the period as 46 cases were filed in 2004 against 58 last year.

No gang-rape case was registered this year against two in 2003.

This year, the police registered 122 murder attempt cases against 104. The other main figures are: dacoities 17 (2004), 15 (2003), robbery 100 (2004), 84 (2003) and cattle-lifting 142 in 2004 against 74 cases.

Under the special sections, 1,430 cases were filed during the first quarter of 2004 against 1,325 while under the prohibition acts, 628 and 672 cases were registered during 2003 and 2004 respectively. Besides, under the arms act, this year 421 cases were registered against 350. Sixty-nine cases of assault on women were filed this year against 30 cases.

ARRESTED: Police on Saturday arrested three Khateebs Muhammed Yasean, Hafiz Daud Shah and Hafiz Niaz under the Amplifier Act for alleged misuse of loudspeakers in mosques.