Delhi safe says Police Commissioner even as crime graph shoots up

New Delhi, Jul 17 (UNI) Side-stepping widespread criticism over rising crime graph in the capital, Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal today said Delhi was a safe city and the recent spate of shooting incidents notwithstanding, the crime situation was under control with 83 per cent cases resolved this year.

''The crime situation in the capital was under control and there was no reason for panic. Only ten per cent of murders are committed by criminals while the rest are done by known people.'' We are arresting criminals and building criminal intelligence because of which we have managed to solve 83 per cent of cases this year, he said.

Facing a barrage of questions as to why despite his tall claims people in Delhi felt unsafe with shootings taking place at crossings in broad daylight, Mr Dadwal said police was on its feet and all efforts were being made to see that people felt safe.

''The morale of the Delhi Police is high and with an excellent track record of working out cases, we hope to get the people's confidence soon as well.'' ''People must have confidence in us,'' he said.

On the recent nine cases of shoot-outs within a span of a fortnight, the Commissioner said the gang and the people have been identified, involved in three of those cases, and a reward announced for their arrest.

''The south district police, the crime branch and other agencies were following the leads and we hope to nab them soon.'' The Bunty gang head, who has been involved in 23 cases and arrested ten times, along with his associates has gone underground and we hope to get him soon, he told reporters elaborating on the July 11 shootout case in which three people were killed.

''We are reaching out to people at the grassroot level to strengthen our criminal intelligence system and in our effort to keep crime under check, the people have to play an important role.'' On his today's meeting with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Mr Dadwal said she was apprised about the law and order situation in the capital.

When asked about the influx of firearms in the capital, which were behind increasing incidents of shootings, Mr Dadwal said use of firearms in the capital this year has been the least in the last ten years.

''I would like to reassure people that Delhi was safe as we have taken a number of steps to keep a lid on the crime graph here.'' Besides the 500 PCR vans, 121 strong motorcycle squad had been raised to improve response to crime, he said adding that concerted efforts were on by the Delhi Police to maintain peace and tranquility in the capital.

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