GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - Peeved at the rising crime against property, Assam Police has decided to prepare a locality-specific security plan, especially in Guwahati and its adjoining areas. The department is also trying to find an answer to the repeated incidents of thefts in religious institutions, including temples and mosques.
A senior Assam Police official said the police, along with locals, will soon study and assess the problems concerning the vulnerable areas, which may vary from place to place. �Once we identify the loopholes, the respective citizens� committees or local organisations will be taken into confidence so that a foolproof plan can be worked out,� he said.
�Our primary responsibility is to identify the areas where incidents of thefts or for that matter, crime against property have become a regular affair. If required or deemed fit after consultation, private security guards could be employed, who would be trained or briefed by the respective police station on a regular basis,� he said, �There are many cities and localities outside the State that have successfully followed such practices.�
The local police station should also take the grievances of the residents into consideration to identify and bring to book the unscrupulous elements.
Records say that till June this year, nearly 9,000 incidents of dacoity, robbery, burglary and theft had taken place across the State. Last year, nearly 18,000 incidents of such crimes against property took place and the number of total cognisable crime registered was 1,07,825.
Police said most criminals, including those related to vehicle theft, are repeated offenders. On the recent instances of theft in religious institutions, police said the problem would be discussed with the temple and mosque committees shortly and a proper security roadmap chalked out. � Staff Reporter
