Vehicle recovery rate dismal so far

CHANDIGARH: Three months into the year and the figure for vehicle thefts in the city stands at a miserable 180. Even though the number has come down from last year���s total of 198 during the corresponding period till March 15, the comparative study isn���t reassuring enough. One reason is that only nine automobiles in contrast to 68 in 2008 have so far been recovered.
Certainly, it is a big concern for us and we are trying to find out ways to tackle the menace, said SSP Sudhanshu Shekhar Srivastava.Seeking help of the crime wing, he added, It has been asked to identify gangs operating in the region to bring things under control.
The overall crime scenario has taken the much-awaited dip with the SSP stating that in comparison to 865 cases in 2008, this year has recorded 665 only.
Talking of the five murder incidents so far, he added, Four cases have been cracked, except the one in Leisure Valley where the watchman was found with his throat slit. We have recovered a mobile phone and got some clues. A team has been sent to Kapurthala and we hope to solve that soon.
Despite suspending nearly a dozen cops for their nexus with the drug mafia, UT police has registered only 19 cases under the NDPS Act in comparison to 26 last year. There is a lukewarm response to the helpline started by us to curb drug-trafficking. I will try to push in for more measures to check this problem, the SSP added.