Besides militancy, people face other crimes also in Kashmir, Leh

Srinagar, Aug 3 (UNI) Besides militancy, various cases of other crimes, including murder, rape, extortion and burglary is taking place in the Kashmir valley and Leh, where normally crime rate was considered to be the minimal.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that 95 murder cases have been registered in the valley from 2001 to 2006 which await judicial disposition in various courts of law.

He said these cases include 37 in Srinagar, 8 in Anantnag, 20 in Baramulla, 4 in Budgam and a few in Handawara.

He said it was astonishing to see that 10 murder cases have been registered in Leh where normally crime rate was considered to be the minimal.

Replying to the main question in the Legislative Councilin this regard, Mr Azad said the state government has taken various steps like regular patrolling, checking, frisking, setting up nakas and a watch on bad characters police at the Police Station level.

He informed the House that 91 theft and burglary cases have been registered in various police stations during the current year of which 29 cases have been challaned in the courts of law and 55 cases are under investigation.

However, no case of arson has been reported in Channapora, Peerbagh, Rengrete, Chattabal, Bemina, Rawalpora and Sanat Nagar.

He said a team of professional police officers and officials has been constituted in every police station (Anti-Burglary Squad) under the close supervision of senior officers to recover the stolen property.

The working of Station House Officers and the teams are being and monitored by superior officers and concerned district SSPs.

UNI BAS YA RS1502