CHITRAL, Jan 5: The Chitral police registered 814 cases last year as against the 936 in 2000, which shows a decline in the crime rate in the district.

According to data gathered from the office of superintendent of police, Chitral, 13 cases of murder, 18 cases of armed murder, 31 of burglary and theft, and 158 Hudood cases were recorded at the 10 police stations of the district.

Only one case each of Zina, dacoity, and attack on police were recorded. Likewise, nine cases of elopements, one case of car hijacking, were reported.

Last year, the local police recovered 172kg of charas, 66kg opium, 135 litres of liquor, and only 4 grams of heroin. Four Kalashnikovs, 5 rifles, 25 short guns, 9 pistols and 1,753 rounds of fire were seized. Out of the 79 proclaimed offenders 23 were nabbed by the police during entire 12 months. More than two dozen people lost their lives in 44 accidents. The number of foreign visitors to the district was 2,570; it was 2,314 the previous year.