RAWALPINDI, June 4: There has been an increase in robbery, murder, rape and kidnapping cases in the Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory from February 1 to April 30, 2004.

The figures collected from official sources showed that 1,156 people were murdered in the Punjab and the Islamabad Capital Territory from February 1 to April 30, 2004.

Whereas 1,122 people were murdered in the Punjab and ICT during the same period in 2003. Out of the 1,156, 337 people were murdered in the month of February in the Punjab, 402 in March and 404 in April. Whereas 311 people were murdered in February, 367 in March and 433 in April in 2003.

In the ICT, five persons were murdered in February, seven in March and one in April in 2004, while three persons were murdered in February, five in March and three in April in 2003.

The figures also show an increase in rape cases as 445 such incidents were reported to the Punjab police between February 1 and April 30. Whereas 399 such cases were reported during the same period last year.

Out of the 445 rape cases, 120 cases had come to light in February, 161 in March and 164 in April. Similarly, 99 cases were reported in February, 144 in March and 155 in April last year.

There has also been a shocking increase in kidnapping and abduction cases as 1,823 cases were reported to the Punjab police between February 1 to April 30 in 2004. Out of 1,823 cases, 515 incidents occurred in February, 624 in March and 684 in April. Similarly, 1,320 cases of kidnapping and abduction were reported to the Punjab police during the same period in 2003.

Out of the 1,320 cases, 321 occurred in February, 469 in March and 530 in April. In the Islamabad Capital Territory, there had been a slight fall in the kidnapping and abduction cases during February 1 to April 30 in 2004. Four such incidents were reported during this period in 2004 against five in 2003.