RAWALPINDI: There has been an increase in violent crimes such as killing during robberies, murders and kidnapping cases as police failed to protect the citizens in the Rawalpindi district.

The police record showed a slight decline in crimes from January to March 31.

There were a total of 4,590 cases registered with the police from Jan 1 to March 31 compared to 4,617 cases in the corresponding period last year.

But last month turned out to be more violent as 1,573 cases were registered with the police compared to 1,347 in March last year.

As many as 57 people were murdered since January this year compared to 53 last year.

Among the 57 murders, five individuals, including a woman, were killed during robberies in different parts of the city.

However, 27 people were killed last one, including the district courts incident in which two people were shot dead and two others injured.

After the shoot-out between two rival groups in the judicial complex, which is not far from the police and military establishments, Israr Ahmed Khan was removed from the post of the city police officer.

The killing of a schoolteacher in a purse-snatching incident in Dhoke Matkal last week was yet another shocking resident and a challenge for the police.

As many as 98 attempted murder cases have been reported this year compared to 73 cases last year. An increase in kidnapping cases has also been noticed.

So far this year, 47 men have been kidnapped against 28 last year while 117 women were abducted compared to 104 in the corresponding period last year.

Incidents involving rape increased from 14 in the first three months of last year to 15 this year.

The police also received complaints about 23 cases of child assault this year compared to 11 such cases last year.

Besides, 157 robbers, including vehicle snatching cases, were reported in the first three months of this year compared to 146 cases last year.

The crime figures also showed that 138 theft and 129 burglaries were reported compared to 126 burglaries and 123 thefts cases in the first three months of 2017.

However, there was a decrease in vehicle theft cases which had been a headache for the police. So far this year, 110 cars and 138 motorbikes were taken away compared to 164 cars and 145 motorbikes stolen in the same period last year.

But there was a slight increase in the theft of other vehicles as 31 such cases were reported during Jan and March last year compared to 33 so far this year.

There was also an increase in police crackdowns against illegal weapons and drug peddlers.

As many as 407 cases of illegal weapons and 733 cases of narcotics were registered this year compared to 342 and 651 cases respectively last year.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2018