Deployment of police force for the Kanwad Mela, forthcoming Doiwala by-poll and Panchayat re-poll has led to a crunch of police force in various police stations in the State capital. This might be one of the reasons for increasing rate of crimes like burglary, chain snatching and other theft cases in the state capital. Observers say that cases of burglary in locked houses, vehicle theft and other offences have been increasing for the last month but police have failed to curb these in the district. Moreover, amid criticism for the rising crime graph, Dehradun police seems to be working under pressure and is failing to either prevent crimes or solving registered crime cases.
Crime statistics of Dehradun reveal that two or three cases of burglary, vehicle theft or chain snatching are reported daily. Most of such cases are reported from suburban and urban areas of Patelnagar, Cantt, Raipur and other localities. This has exposed police's claim of taking measures for preventing crime.Moreover, in view of rising crime graph in Dehradun, State Principal Secretary, Home, MH Khan inspected some police posts and police stations late on Sunday night and found policemen were absent from their assigned posts while some were on duty without wireless set.
SP City Navneet Singh Bhullar said that cops have been deployed for Kanwad Mela, Assembly bypolls and Panchayat re-polls. Around two third of total strength of policemen is deputed to various duties from most of the police stations in the district. Moreover, police station officers have been directed to intensify patrolling during night to put check on theft cases in the city.
Bhullar appealed the residents to inform the local police post or police station if they go out of station for some days. At district level, anti theft cell has been established and one can inform the cell official before going out of station for some days. Patelnagar circle officer Arun Mohan Pandey said that in spite of rising cases of burglaries in the locked homes in the State capital, residents are hesitating to inform the police when they go out of the city.
In order to ensure swift police response after the occurrence of the crime Dehradun police established Anti-Theft Cell a year ago. Since its establishment around 40 phone calls were received by the cell. One sub-inspector and four constables are deputed here. He appealed the people to inform the police through anti-theft cell number 7409783119 or 100 or local police station number if they leave their home for some days.