Pindi struggled to control crimes

Crime rate graph continues an upward trajectory primarily on the basis of mugging incidents

ISLAMABAD:

If 2020 was a grim tale, it turned out to be darker than usual for the garrison city Rawalpindi as its crime rate spiralled out of control, depriving the population of their hard-earned money.

Not only the residents were robbed of their belongings worth million of rupees, other incidents included theft of 1,258 vehicles and more than 3,500 motorcycles, revealed police sources.

As the pandemic and lockdowns restricted outdoor activities for people, there were still 10,500 incidents reported of snatching, burglary, mugging, and armed robbery this year alone.

Not were the residents merely deprived of their valuables, they also faced grave threats to their safety as the city witnessed 21 cases of murder during attempts of mugging, sources informed.

Other than a sharp rise in mugging incidents in broad day light, 250 people were killed over other longstanding disputes.

The city also failed its women as it recorded nine gang rape cases, and 99 accounts of sexual assault.

The incidents of serious nature also hounded Rawalpindi’s business and civic circles.

The year 2020 proved to be quite unsafe for the residents of Rawalpindi and those who came to the city from other areas in search of bread and butter.

A total of more than 29,000 cases were registered during the year in Rawalpindi, police sources said, adding that the total number of cases registered against criminals was 2,781.

According to the breakdown of the total tally, there were 471 cases of attempted murders, 697 instances of bodily harm, five kidnappings for ransom, 798 kidnappings, 116 accounts of resistance to police personnel, 64 cases of interrupting government initiatives. In the garrison city, 139 traffic accidents also claimed lives of individuals.

As far as the property crimes are concerned, a total of more than 10,857 incidents were reported.

Throughout the year, the number of incidents in which citizens lost assets as well as their lives is 21, while 45 cases of robbery, 2,198 cases of armed robbery are also on record. Interestingly, 270 cases of cattle stealing, and 1,270 cases of general theft were also reported. Police sources informed that there was not a single day when incidents of mobile phone or wallet snatching did not take place.

During the year, a total of 2,389 cases were registered by the police under the Illegal Weapons Ordinance, 199 for gambling, 60 for the violation of the Section 411 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 879 for cheque dishonour and more than 10,000 miscellaneous cases were recorded.

Due to the policy introduced by the Punjab government, the cases can now be registered freely, which lead to a spike in the number of FIRs filed by citizens. Speaking to The Express Tribune, President of Central Association of Traders Rawalpindi and Punjab Shahid Ghafoor Paracha said serious efforts were made to root out crime by former Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Sohail Habib Tajik and existing RPO Imran Ahmer and Chief Police Officer Rawalpindi Ahsan Younis.

Unfortunately, the crime rate could not be controlled due to which there are concerns in the business community, said Paracha.

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi police also released an annual performance report stating that during the year 2020, around 9,207 suspected criminal elements and groups were arrested and assets worth millions of rupees including 247 vehicles, and 1,468 motorcycles were recovered.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2021.