Spike in crime? What? Where?

The news reports Jungle Raj in Delhi and Lawless Delhi (both July 15), were out of context with regard to the overall scenario of crime and police performance in Delhi. The reports have created a feeling of insecurity among the people. There has been a decline of 8.5 per cent in heinous crimes as compared to the previous year. Crimes affecting public order, like dacoity, robbery and kidnapping have also shown a decline. Cases of rape have gone down as has the use of firearms in offences. Around 84 per cent of heinous cases have been solved and all sensational cases which took place during the year have been solved in record time.

There has also been an overall reduction in the registration of non-heinous crimes. A concerted effort has been made to prevent crime, streamline the quality and disposal of cases under investigation, and to redress grievances. Top priority has been given to solving cases and the development of criminal intelligence.

Alok Verma, Joint Commissioner (Crime), Delhi Police

The ‘far-too-free’ media

Apropos of Namita Bhandare’s Breaking noose (July 16), as a journalist herself, the writer has been very honest in her analysis of how the media handle ‘sensational’ cases such as the ‘Aarushi-Hemraj murder’ case. The Hindi TV channels, in particular, should start behaving more responsibly. Otherwise we will be in a strange position of welcoming governmental control of a ‘far-too-free’ media.

Ajay Awasthi, via email

Out of the nuclear doghouse

The recent political situation in the country is far from enviable as it has created great uncertainty about the survival of the government. Also, we are ignoring the fact that India will not only sign the deal with the US, but also with 45 other nations to end India’s nuclear apartheid.

K.K. Puri, Delhi

Ramachandra Guha’s article Spot the Stalinist (History Matters, July 15), regarding the use of labels such as ‘fascist’ and ‘Stalinist’ is thought-provoking. Are we then to understand that the Ku Klux Klan may only be named racist when it actually succeeds in establishing an apartheid regime in the United States?

Dilip Simeon, Senior Research Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Delhi

Show them the money

I endorse Paranjoy Guha Thakurta’s views in That other joint venture (July 15) that politicians of all hues depend on business houses for money to run election campaigns, etc. It’s a pity no regulation can deter the role of money power in politics.

Bhaskar Sen, via email
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