In Chichawatni, the year 2023 witnessed a staggering 60% surge in reported crimes, sparking debates on whether the uptick reflects heightened criminal activity or an improved performance by the local police force.
From January 1 to December 31, 2023, the six police stations in Chichawatni Circle—Saddar, City, Kassowal, Ghaziabad, Shahkot, and Okanwala Bangla—logged a total of 5,633 reported crimes.
Among them, 276 cases were dismissed as fraudulent or pointless, while 894 incomplete challans were submitted to area magistrates during the stipulated period.
However, the Chichawatni police face challenges in investigating 952 cases, citing legal and technological hurdles. The cases involve 11,703 named accused, with 1,899 individuals found innocent due to insufficient evidence, and 83 on bail.
The authorities have arrested and imprisoned 4,682 accused, actively pursuing the remaining 5,093 still at large. Within Circle Chichawatni, major crimes, including murder, robbery, and drug-related offenses, accounted for 1,158 cases.
Saddar Police Station reported 372 cases, City Police Station recorded 171, Kassowal Police Station logged 189, Ghaziabad Police Station reported 143, Shahkot Police Station recorded 146, and Okanwala Bangla Police Station reported 136 cases.
Read ‘Better policing’ improves Pindi’s crime rate
Despite achieving a 70% challan rate for compiling cases on time, the overall case registration rate in the police stations is 60% higher, reflecting a 19% decrease compared to 2022.
The population surge in the region has strained police resources, leading to challenges in personnel and transportation.
While acknowledging the improvements in police performance, concerns linger over the unresolved cases, notably the assassination of businessman Yusuf Jamal Tikka and the disappearance of six-year-old Adiba.
The ethical conduct of a few officers, violating human rights and acting outside the law, has tarnished the reputation of the police department.
As the Punjab government strives to reform the "police culture," questions persist in public and social circles about the actual impact on police performance and the escalating crime rate, prompting a critical evaluation of the annual figures released by the Circle Police.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2024.
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