While addressing a press conference here today, the DGP said, “During 2007, crime under the heads of murder, culpable homicide, attempt to murder and dacoity came down with the fall in murder incidents from 817 in 2006 to 760 in 2007, culpable homicide from 154 to 153, attempt-to-murder from 897 to 893 and dacoity and robbery from 177 to 175.’’

“The crime against property increased with theft cases going up from 3,214 in 2006 to 4,172 in 2007 and burglary from 2,260 to 2,612. Rape and kidnapping cases also increased. However, 395 out of 760 cases of kidnapping were related to elopement and were mostly worked out,” he said adding that in view of the Nithari incident, all reports of missing children were treated with sensitivity. “There was a slight increase in reported crime with 35,795 cases being registered as against 32,068 in the previous year,’’ he said. Aulakh said, “This due to the fact that 90 per cent of the police force was deployed on law-and-order duty across the state for a few months due to Sacha Sauda incident.’’

Referring to corruption in the force, Aulakh said that 76 cases were registered against policemen in 2007 against 46 in the previous year showing an increase of 30 cases. “ Whenever a report of human rights violation by the police is received, action is taken after conducting an enquiry,” he said while responsing to a query.

He said the issue of weekly off to the police personnel was under consideration of home department and will be implemented soon. Besides, now Saps have been directed to start yoga and meditation classes for the police personnel.

Aulakh admitted that there were a few IPS officers to be posted as saps, as in Moga and Muktsar. “There is a problem at SP level in the IPS as there are limited officers. This arrangement to post PPS officers as SP (headquarter) and give them additional charge of SSP is for three months only. We are on the look out. PPS officers’ promotion to IPS cadre is also hanging fire as that case is also in the court ,’’ he said.

“The plans for 2008 include setting up of a modern forensic lab having DNA, brain-mapping, narco-analysis facility, setting up transit accommodation for all ranks in Chandigarh, opening six NRI police stations, six women police stations. While two new police lines in Moga and Muktsar, three new traffic control rooms, 50 visitor rooms in police stations will also come up, police mobility will be improved by providing 175 motorcycles to the districts,’’ the DGP said.

Aulakh said that the force would also undertake technological up-gradation by implementation of CIPA (common integrated police applications) in 31 police stations, commissioning of WAN (wide area network) and LAN (local area network) for districts and police headquarters. “About 2,313 police officials are being trained in information technology and w are are planning to provide cell phones to NGO rank officers in police stations. About 3,000 phones will be given at the cost of about Rs 38 lakh,” he said.

He ruled out setting up of separate police stations for other sections of the society, including industrialists and traders on the lines of six separate police stations to be set up to deal with the cases of the NRIs. Under RTI Act, information to 12,878 applicants have been provided, he said.