Police tries to suppress the democratic voice of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and 120 Ladakis by preventing them from marching to Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat---Devender Yadav

NEW DELHI, October 1, 2024—A Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DOCK) delegation, under the leadership of DPCC president Shri Devender Yadav, today called on Police Commissioner Shri Sanjay Arora in his office at Police Headquarters, Jai Singh Road, Parliament Street to express their deep concern at the deteriorating law and order situation in the Capital, which has made Delhi the “Crime Capital” of the country. The Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to the Police Commissioner, bringing to his notice the growing fear and insecurity among the residents of Delhi due to a series of alarming incidents in the Capital.

Besides Shri Devender Yadav, others in the delegation consisted of former Ministers Shri Haroon Yusuf, Shri Mangat Ram Singhal and Prof. Kiran Walia, AICC secretary Shri Rohit Chaudhary, AICC secretary Shri Abhishek Dutt, District president Shri Zubair Ahmed, ex-MLA Shri Sumesh Shokeen, District president Mirza Javed Ali and Municipal Councillor Nazia Danish.

After meeting the police commissioner, Shri Devender Yadav said that the Congress delegation brought to the attention of the Police Commissioner about rising crimes against women, road rage, traffic congestion, illicit liquor trade and drug menace all across the Capital, particular in the alleys of the Capital, as the rising crimes were related to unemployment among the youth. He said that the delegation also took up traffic congestion which creates road rage, He said that he also drew the attention of the Police Commissioner about the traffic police levying heavy fines, ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000, on E-Rickshaw drivers, who ply this trade for a livelihood, and the fines imposed by the traffic police was more than their monthly income, and something as grave as this should be avoided.

Shri Devender Yadav also noted that it was highly disturbing that Delhi has been ranked one of the most crime-infested cities in the country. He said that according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Delhi’s crime rate of 1,832 was 3.36 times higher than the national average of 544. He said that Delhi Police’s startling statistics show 308 murders, 1,034 robberies, 144 extortions and six kidnappings for ransom by mid-August, which points to a total breakdown of law and order in the city.

Shri Devender Yadav said that trading of illegal liquor, the rising drug menace and increasing violence have cast a heavy cloud of unease over the people of Delhi. He said that this situation was especially troubling for the youth, who should be chasing their dreams, but instead find themselves drawn into a world od drugs and violence, often out of desperation or a sense of hopelessness.

Shri Devender Yadav said that not only major crimes have become an everyday occurrence, Delhi has become the most unsafe city for women in India, accounting for 29.04% of total crimes against women. He said that in 2024 uptil now, Delhi reported 1,393 rapes with three victims murdered, 1,354 sexual assaults, 4316 snatchings, 5735 burglaries and 12698 house thefts.

Shri Devender Yadav said that due to shortage of personnel in the Delhi Police force with 12547 vacancies yet to be filled, controlling crimes has taken a major hit, which has disturbed the peaceful lives of the people. He said that many crimes go unreported, with suppression of crime reports being a wide-spread practice, particularly in the case of individuals from Scheduled Cast and minority communities, who often face discrimination when attempt;ting to file reports at police stations.

Shri Devender Yadav pointed out that over the past few years, there has been a noticeable lack of seriousness or discussions to tackle the sharp rise in crimes among the those who wield power, as they seem least concerned about the safety and security of the people of Delhi.

Shri Devender Yadav said that the Delhi police move to detain environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and 120 elderly people from Ladak, who were marching to Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat, Delhi to demand Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh on Tuesday, was illegal and undemocratic. He asked why elderly citizens from Ladak, who were standing up for Ladak’s future, being detained at the Delhi border?. He said that the Modi Government was trying to suppress the sane voice of people who uphold democratic values with high-handed actions.

The Chief Reporter,