Punjab claims drop in crime during 2015

Despite the recent incidents of protests and violence after incidents of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Punjab Police on Thursday claimed that there was a drop in incidents of crimes during 2015 compared to the previous year.

"Crime against person and property -- murders, dacoities and burglaries, showed a decrease in 2015, as compared to 2014," a police department spokesman said here.

The number of murder cases came down to 693 this year from 767 last year. Dacoties decreased from 31 to 23.

The number of rape cases reported this year was 860 compared to 981 last year. Snatchings went down to 1,246 from 1,354 last year, the spokesman said.

"However, an increase has been noticed in some crime heads such as kidnappings/abduction (1,678 this year as against 1,550 in 2014), theft (3,828 as against 3,713 in 2014) and attempt to murder (871 as against 864 in 2014)," the spokesman said.

The Punjab Police, which was actively involved in the fight against Sikh militancy in Punjab from 1981 to 1995, had to deal with terror spill-over from neighbouring Pakistan when three armed terrorists attacked Dinanagar town in north Punjab's Gurdaspur district.

The attack ended with all three terrorists being neutralised by the Punjab Police after a fierce gun-battle on April 27.

"Sixty-five criminal gangs were busted, including top gangs, during the year. Some 414 pistols, 87 revolvers, 57 rifles, 30 guns, 4,179 cartridges, three hand-grenades, nine bombs, two detonators and 56 magazines were recovered during 2015," he added.

The Punjab Police, with assistance from central agencies, was also able to track down the chief of terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Jagtar Singh Tara, from Pattiya in Thailand on January 5.

"Punjab Police would dedicate the year 2016 towards 'Security and Dignity of Women', by ensuring a prompt and effective response on all complaints/cases of sexual assault/harassment, domestic violence, eve-teasing and obscene calls/SMS," the spokesman said.