No cops to protect Panchkula streets, crimes increase by 16%

PANCHKULA:One need not be Sherlock Holmes to find out what’s forcing Panchkula residents to stay indoors. There was a 16% rise in the number of crimes recorded in the district in 2017 as compared to the previous year simply because there were not enough cops to man the streets.

There are barely 1,031 police personnel posted in Panchkula. What’s more, more than 350 of these are on VIP duties and another 50 are required to secure the district court complex. This for an area spread over 816 square km.

Just to be at par with the national average of police-population ratio, which means at least 145 cops for every 1,00,000 people, Panchkula needs more than 2,000 policemen. The city is making do with less than half of it and people are bearing the brunt.

In 2016, a total of 516 cases were recorded in Panchkula. The figures in 2017 jumped to 601. Of these the highest leap was witnessed in burglary and theft cases, obviously hitting a little too ‘close to home’. The number of burglaries went up from 103 in 2016 to 135 in 2017.

Similarly, as many as 256 cases of theft were registered in 2016, while in 2017 the number of cases went up to 289. The figures of snatching have jumped to worrying proportion in last two years. In 2016, as many as 22 residents fell prey to snatchers, while in 2017 snatchers robbed 48 residents of their belongings, meaning at least four snatchings every month.

Members of various welfare associations have been raising voice against the rise in the crime in the city. Criminals have no fear of the police, as was seen on June 28 this year, when over 17 bullets were fire in Paploha village of Kalka in a gang war.

President of the Citizen Welfare Association S K Nayar says, “Who is issuing gun licenses to these criminals? And if they are not using licensed weapons, then from where the weapons are coming to the city? Cops must find out and act now.” Another resident Satwant Singh adds, “There is a spurt in the criminal activities in the entire city and we feel so unsafe. Cops have failed on all fronts.”

Panchkula deputy commissioner of police R K Meena, said, “Majority of the cases were solved. Patrolling has been increased.” On staff shortage, he refused to comment. “It is completely a state decision.”