‘High crime figures reflected transparent policing’: Haryana DGP defends NCRB data

Chandigarh: Facing mounting criticism over Haryana's law and order situation following the release of the NCRB 2024 report, Haryana director general of police (DGP) Ajay Singhal on Tuesday mounted a strong defence of the state police, asserting that high crime figures reflected "transparent policing" rather than deteriorating law and order.Addressing the media at the police headquarters, Singhal said Haryana's policy of direct FIR registration had contributed significantly to the high number of cases reflected in the NCRB data. He maintained that a large chunk of the registered cases pertained to electricity theft and missing persons, most of which were resolved. "Nearly 94% of missing persons cases have been sorted out. Similarly, action has been taken in power theft cases. In the last five months, around 70 encounters have taken place, and all murder cases reported in the past fortnight have been solved," said Singhal. Projecting an aggressive anti-crime strategy, the DGP signalled that Haryana Police would continue its tough stance against gangsters, organised crime syndicates and repeat offenders. He also highlighted a Rs 750-crore infrastructure push by the Haryana govt aimed at modernising the police force. Singhal said the focus was not only on encounter-based policing against hardened criminals but also on strengthening intelligence gathering, cyberpolicing, surveillance and emergency response systems. Upgradation of police stations, expansion of digital policing infrastructure and improvement in communication networks are part of the ongoing modernisation drive, he added. The DGP reviewed the functioning of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), forensic capabilities and cyberpolicing units, stressing that technology-driven investigations were key to improving conviction rates. Claiming significant gains against organised crime and narcotics networks, Singhal said extortion cases had declined in recent months and several gangsters operating from abroad had either been deported or brought under the legal scanner. Reiterating the police force's emphasis on "smart and sensitive policing", Singhal said district police units had been directed to maintain close monitoring of crime trends, improve intelligence coordination and ensure faster response to law-and-order situations. He added that special attention was being paid to crimes against women, cyber fraud, drug trafficking and communal harmony, while police personnel were undergoing continuous training to tackle emerging security challenges. DGP on Encounter and Shooting Theory Responding to questions over allegations that police teams were deliberately targeting criminals in the legs during encounters, Singhal denied any such fixed strategy. "There have been incidents where criminals sustained injuries in other body parts as well. Recently, one accused succumbed to bullet injuries during crossfire with police teams. Our primary objective is to apprehend criminals," he said. MSID:: 131331309 413 |