August 12, 2008	Tuesday	Sha'aban 9, 1429

GILGIT, Aug 11: The Inspector General of Police Northern Areas Khurshid Alam has said his department was performing remarkably despite shortage of personnel.

He stated this while speaking at a press conference after assuming the charge here on Monday.

Highlighting the geographical importance of the region, he said the area boarders with China, India, Central Asia and the districts of Chitral and Swat in NWFP; therefore, a strong police force was need of the hour.

He said the situation in the region was normal but due to the arrival of Chinese labourers in the region the police needed to focus more on their security.He regretted that they had failed to obtain two platoons of reserve force for which they had been making efforts since 1997.

The official said the volume of traffic in Gilgit city had tripled and most of the roads in the town would be choked if steps were not taken to impart training to the policemen as well as drivers.

He said the area lacked highway police and that is why lack of adequate policing had been the major cause of frequent accidents.

The IGP said the local police needed to be equipped with modern equipment and vehicles. He said a total of 598 cases of different nature had been registered with the police during the current year.