GUJRANWALA, Jan 6: The Gujranwala range police on Thursday claimed they had arrested 17,254 proclaimed offenders and absconders during the year 2004. In addition, the police also apprehended 748 criminals of 194 gangs during the period.

A police spokesman said the police traced 887 cases of theft, dacoity and highway robbery committed by gangsters. The police also seized illegal weapons, including 17 hand grenades, 130 Kalashnikovs, seven sten guns, 2,596 rifles, 2,269 guns, 632 revolvers, 4,118 pistols, 244 cartridges and 50,500 bullets from the arrested malefactors.

About 40kg heroin, 929kg hashish, 132kg opium and 14,550 bottles of liquor were also recovered from the peddlers besides unearthing 584 distilleries by the police. He said that around 33 criminals were killed and 41 arrested during 44 encounters while 15 policemen laid down their lives in these shootouts during the year.

Lauding the performance of police, DIG Altaf Qamer said the morale of police was high and frantic efforts would be made to maintain the law and order situation.

POLLS: Election for the Wazirabad tehsil bar association president will be held on Jan 15 as vice-president, secretary general, joint secretary, finance secretary, library secretary and auditor have been elected unopposed besides members of the executive council. Three candidates - sitting bar president Mustansar Gondal, Khawaja Muhammad Jamil and Mubashir Hussain Cheema - are contesting for the single slot.