By Our Web Reporter
LAHORE– The performance of Rawalpindi police region has recently come under question in terms of crime against person and property.
A document prepared by the Central Police Office (CPO) Punjab reveals stunning disclosures about the region that comprises Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts.
The minutes viewed by the Punjab police chief reveal that the sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) of the region have recorded case files in only 44 cases out of 189 murder cases reported in 2019. The field officers are not aligned with the investigation process.
The crime against property has registered a spike because of policy of free registration of crime, but these cases need to solved. Only six out of 16 cases of dacoity/robbery with murder in 2019 have been prospered so far.
The incidents of dacoity have risen up to 20 as compared to 11 in the previous year. In the same vein, the backlog of 1,137 under investigation cases must be worked out, which is daunting challenge.
The percentage of recovery (9 per cent) in robbery cases in very meager. Also the number of accused arrested (86 out of 1802) is quite disturbing.
Not a single case of dacoity/robbery involving Rs3 milllion or above has been challaned so far out of total five cases registered in 2020. Similarly there is a backlog of eight such cases registered in 2019. All of them have to be traced to stop the vicious cycle of robberies.
The motorcycle snatching is three times the last year. It was observed that free registration is good, but someone has to solve these cases, as well otherwise it is an area of extreme worrisome. All accused at large (10) in the cases of sodomy and rape with minor must be taken into custody without further delay.
There is a three-fold increase in which vehicle theft (92) as compared to 2019 (34). It is a classic crime of Rawalpindi district.
According to the report, as many 10 cases of rape have not been worked out that indicates flaws in the detection. Given the size of crime it does not correspond to POs figures. It reflects that there are a large number of POs still hidden in the files.
The Punjab police chief has expressed concern over a heavy loss of police force in Rawalpindi and asked whether any post-incident analysis was conducted on this?
The performance concerning the action taken under new laws is lukewarm and needs to be improved. A large number of PMDU complainants are dissatisfied. The senior command has to focus on it. The RPO should do random sample checking at regional/district levels.
An abysmal number of cases of aerial firing was registered despite the fact that Basant (kite-flying) was observed in the month of February and reportedly a large of incidents took place.
The region ranks low in obtaining CNICs of proclaimed offenders (POs). The next step for all field formations must be to proceed for the blocking of obtained CNICs. The DIG Legal must send a piece of advice to all in writing how to proceed as per law in this regard.
Casualties of police during raids/operational duties are abominable. Commanders must ensure that all protective gears are worn and SOPs are strictly observed.
It is not just the number of arrests of top 10 bad characters/badmaashan that matters, but also the quality and effectiveness of legal action taken thereof. More thrust from all field formations is required in this regard. The IG applauded a few quality based actions in this regard taken by the CPO Rawalpindi.
Action against land-grabbers wins credits for police. A detailed exercise has been done in this area by the Special Branch, which has been shared with field formations. A report on action is awaited still.
The aerial firing and display of arms in engender an air of lawlessness, so action against it needs more push.
The report expects from the Rawalpindi police to conduct watchful monitoring of fourth schedulers.
There is substantial catch of narcotics. Located on the supply lines of narcotics, more high-grade arrests are expected from Rawalpindi, the police chief further observes.
