City sees drop in crime rate: AK Khan

Hyderabad, Dec 29 (INN): Hyderabad Police Commissioner AK Khan on Wednesday gave his team a pat on its back and said that the crime rate in the twin cities has shown a marked decline when compared to last year. Talking to media persons at Police Officer's Mess, Masab Tank on Wednesday as part of the Police Department's year-end round up, Mr Khan revealed that as many as 128 murders were committed during 2010 while 154 offences of the same nature took place in 2009. He added that criminal offences like dacoities (5 in 2010, while 6 in 2009), robberies (53 in 2010 and 59 in 2009), kidnappings (120 in 2010 and 107 in 2009), rapes (45 in 2010 and 49 in 2009) also proved that the city police had been more effecting in controlling crime. A total 17,045 criminal offences were reported in 2010 while in 2009 the number of all offences was 17,830, the police chief said.

The top cop added that the city police had faced many challenges in the 2010 on account of the ongoing Telangana agitation. He also made it clear that the police would take a very tough stand in maintaining the law and order in 2011. Stating that there was a spurt in religious bandobust arrangements, the city police chief said that the city did not experience such disturbances in the last 40 years as in 2010. He added that the city also went through anxious moments over the pronouncement of judgment on the contentious Ram Janma Bhoomi ' Babri Masjid issue, and praised his officers for coming out with flying colours.

Referring to the action against anti-nationals, Mr Khan said that the city police has been on high alert almost throughout the year on terror front. Three important modules, including the one of Shaik Khaja who is alleged to have close links with Harkat Ul Jehad Islami, the nabbing of lone L-e-T operative Mohd Zia-ul-Haq and the capture of the TGI operatives, which was headed by Viquar Ahmed alias Viquaruddin were busted in January, May and July 2010 respectively. Mr Khan also turned his attention to the new trend in criminal activities, Cyber Crime.

He said that the police have been alerted to this new trend and are gearing up to meet the challenges ahead. Mr Khan reminded that Cyber crime Police Station has been created in Hyderabad City with an ACP, as SHO to be assisted by two Inspectors, five Sub Inspectors, four Head Constables, 24 Constables and four Home Guards.

He said that is one of the first cyber Crime Police Stations in the country and it was set up to curb the rise in cyber crimes. The police chief reminded that while only five cases were registered during the year 2009, 46 cases have been registered in 2010. He also said that the police department will continue its relentless fight to curb crime against women.

Mr Khan said that in addition to the existing three Women Police Stations, it was proposed to create three more Women Police Stations, one each for Central, East and West Zones. He added that in order to minimize the domestic violence and to bridge the gap, if any, between married couple, three family facilitation centers have been working in Hyderabad City, with the help of Society for Women Awareness and Rural Development (SWARD).