Sheila accepts there's 'some rise in crime'

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit admitted there was indeed "some rise in crimes" in the Capital and asked Delhi police to make efforts to make citizens feel "safer". HT reports.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit admitted there was indeed "some rise in crimes" in the Capital and asked Delhi police to make efforts to make citizens feel "safer".

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Replying to a debate on the deteriorating law and order in the city, Dikshit agreed there was a sense of insecurity among Delhiites that needs to be dispelled.

"If people feel unsafe that means there is a problem. The police must restore confidence among people," Dikshit said.

Dikshit, however, was quick to praise the police and appreciated it for its visible security across the city even at night. "No one can deny that police presence is visible in most parts of the city; even during the night," Dikshit said.

Dikshit was responding to a discussion initiated by BJP legislators Jagdish Mukhi, Subhash Sachdeva and Shyam Lal Garg. The discussion was to take place on Friday but was postponed after Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal failed to reach the Assembly on Friday.

Though Dadwal couldn't have taken part in the discussion, he was, however, present for the discussion on Monday.

Initiating the discussion, senior BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi said there had been a huge rise in the crime rate and Delhi police refused to register cases, especially in petty crimes like snatching, to keep its record clean.

However, Dikshit, sounding contradictory to her own statements, quoted a recent Confederation of Indian Industry report that termed Delhi as the "safest city in the country".

"Police-people ratio in Delhi is the highest in the country. There are 83,000 policemen deployed in the Capital whereas services of another 27,000 personnel are taken as and when necessary."

"The Delhi Police has also successfully managed to handle all challenges relating to mammoth religious gatherings and important celebrations such as Independence Day and Republic Day," she said.