GUJRAT: The incidence of murder in the district has plunged during 2015 as compared to the last year’s as some 120 such cases have so far been registered against the 180 filed in 2014, whereas the death toll in such happenings has also declined to around 130 from 202 in the previous year.

According to official data, the incidents of attempt on life have also declined, with 128 such cases registered in the year against 249 lodged in 2014.

The figures pertaining to such violent crimes have been the lowest during the past two decades in the district, which is known for old enmities and family feuds.

According to police, effective policing, improved investigation, drive against illegal weapons and restoration of executions are the main reasons for the decline in murder incidents.

Two alleged militants belonging to a banned outfit were also among the seven outlaws (mostly dacoits) killed in police encounters during the year, whereas four criminals were killed in nine shootouts last year.

No let-up in rape cases

The data shows that the crime against property, including robbery, vehicle snatching/lifting, cattle theft etc has also registered a downward trend during 2015 as compared to the previous year’s.

For instance, some 212 incidents of vehicle theft were reported this year against 388 of the last year, whereas 40 motorbike snatching incidents occurred in 2015 against 51 of the previous year.

However, there was no considerable decrease in the incidents of rape, gang rape and kidnapping during the year in the district.

Similarly, some 1,888 cases were lodged against those having illegal arms against the last year’s 1,827.

The police have also lodged hundreds of cases under the National Action Plan (NAP) in the district, including 425 over Loudspeaker Act violations, 249 of graffiti, 359 of temporary residence and 137 cases were registered for violations of Vulnerable Security Act.

Additional SP Kamran Mumtaz, who also holds additional charge of police investigation wing, said equipping police with latest gadgets and use of modern techniques for more effective investigation through specialised homicide units brought the crime graph down in the district.

He said the resumption of executions of death row prisoners had also helped a lot in bringing the murder ratio down.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2015