CHITRAL: The last year registered a sharp rise in narcotics recovery rate in Chitral compared to 2017 as 563 kilogrammes of charas was seized against 132kg in the preceding year. Similar was the case of liquor recovery which showed a difference of 241 litres.

Information gathered from the office of district police officer said that 270 persons were arrested in connection with selling charas and cases registered against them during 2018.

However, 3,485 criminal acts were reported in 2018 against 3,469 in 2017, showing a slight increase, while the number of murder and attempted murder incidents were seven in 2018 and 14 in 2017.

About 26 cases of abduction and three of rape were registered during the last year.

Similarly, 359 cases under Vulnerable Places Act, 64 under ARMS ORDINANCE, 18 under Foreign Act, 16 of misuse of loudspeaker and 359 cases of Tenants Act were registered during 2018.

A total 173 road accidents occurred in 2018, registering a decrease of 21accidents. Over 1,300 persons were booked for violation of traffic rules.

Two Kalashnikovs, 23 rifles, 54 shotguns, 14 pistols, 1,381 rounds, one dagger, 600 detonators, 4,500 safety fuses and 50kg explosive powder were recovered during the last year.

A total of 180 proclaimed offenders remained at large in 2018 against 225 during the preceding year.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2019