Police Commissioner lists priorities

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 2. Except for the rise in the cases of counterfeit currency notes and a slender increase in the gender crime, the overall law and order situation in the twin cities was normal in the year 2000, the Police Commissioner, Mr. P. Ramulu, claimed here on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, he said there were no communal incidents last year and there was a marked decline in crime when compared with the previous years. However, there have been six dacoities as against three last year.

A total number of 10,585 cases were reported during 2000 compared to 10,682 in 1999. There were 99 murders which occurred last year as against 78 in 1999, 942 burglaries as against 989 and kidnappings were 68 as against 90. Forty-eight rape cases were reported as against 43 last year while the counterfeit cases were 25 as compared to 13.

Listing out the important cases, Mr. Ramulu said there were four bomb explosions and a murder of a jeweller in Siddiamber bazar by the ISI-backed militants of Azam Ghori, who was killed in an exchange of fire with the police at Jagitial in Karimnagar district.

Six leaders of the Deendar Anjuman were arrested for bomb blasts at several churches, but, there has been no breakthrough with regard to the unexploded IED found at Dilsukhnagar bus stand in November 2. "We are conscious of the gravity of the situation and we are changing our working style to tackle the menace of international terrorists trying to create trouble here," he said, alluding to the Kashmir militants alleged plan to plant bombs in the city.

He requested the people to be alert and inform the nearest police station in case they come across any suspicious objects anywhere in public places. The Police Commissioner pointed out that the visits of the American President, Mr. Bill Clinton, and the World Bank president, Mr. Wolfensohn, as also many religious festivals were incident-free.

Despite strenuous efforts, the Sakhi case still remained unsolved, he admitted. Fresh efforts were being made to unravel the mystery behind the killing of the tigress and apprehend the persons responsible, he said.

Mr. Ramulu said special emphasis was being given to regulate the chaotic road traffic in the twin cities. The recent special drive to identify traffic problems came up with some suitable suggestions and such special drives would be organised every month to create traffic awareness and inculcate a spirit of common purpose in the rank and file.

Lane markings and signboards were being installed for the guidance of the road users. Road dividers too would be painted with reflectors within a week. Parking zones would be earmarked for autos. A total of 6,18,923 cases were booked under the MV Act and 18,910 cases under C.P. Act.

The Police Commissioner said the control room was being modernised by integrating it with the GPS and GIS systems. The City Security Wing would also be acquiring new equipment worth Rs. 5 crores to provide better security to the VIPs. The Government had also released an amount of Rs. 4 crores for the completion of the Commissioner's office in Basheerbagh.

Mr. Ramulu said noise pollution rules would be brought in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment, but the Government has to promulgate an ordinance providing for punishments for those violating the norms.

Around 500 pollution kits were provided to the traffic police personnel. The Amberpet and Tukaram police stations would be shifted to new premises and the existing buildings would be used as counselling centres, he said.

Computerisation of crime records, formation of cells to investigate cyber crime and land grabbing cases and in-service training programmes for the constabulary were some of the future plans, he added.

The Additional Commissioner, Mr. K. Arvind Rao, the Joint Commissioner, Mr. S.K. Tewari, and DCPs -- Mr. M.V. Dinakar Prasad (Traffic), Mrs. Anuradha (East), Mr. S. Umapathy (South), Mr. Umesh Shroff (West), Mr. Punna Rao (North) and other senior officials were present.

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