CSI Peshawar: Over 20,000 FIRs registered in seven months

Police official says deployment at checkpoints reduces manpower

PESHAWAR: As many as 20,262 FIRs were registered during the last seven months in the city, indicating a perpetual rise in crime. A cursory look over crime statistics indicates around 254 people were killed, and 348 were injured in murder and attempted murder cases in the district in the year to July.

At least, six people were kidnapped for ransom during this period; 27 were kidnapped over various reasons. At least 18 women were kidnapped for marriage and 17 rape cases were reported during the first seven months of 2015. Furthermore, three cases of child abduction were also registered during this time. Police were ambushed 94 times while around 30 civilians were attacked in various incidents.

About 27 robberies as well as 74 mobile and cash snatching incidents were also recorded since January. Around 64 incidents of theft were also reported during this time. Police registered 67 cases of car lifting and 12 car snatching cases. Over the last seven months, 66 motorcycles were stolen in addition to 22 bike snatching incidents.

53 people lost their lives in road accidents while 207 were injured in the district during this time.

Lack of manpower

Commenting on the figures, a police official told The Express Tribune the department is solely focusing on crime these days. However, due to heavy deployment of officials on checkpoints across the district, they are lacking the manpower needed to tackle the issue.



The official said the people who commit crimes are usually those who are faced with complicated, socio-economic problems. Because of their circumstances and lack of income, these people are not only compelled to commit crimes but they also join militants who offer them generous rewards, he added.

“More often than not, their situation forces them to commit crimes,” the official said. “Police can only arrest these people but cannot change the circumstances that force them to indulge in criminal behaviour.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2015.