DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The crime rate in Punjab has witnessed a sharp decline. According to the official crime data of the state vis-a-vis its comparison with the figures from the previous year, the number of murders this year has reduced from 723 in 2021 to 654 in 2022 whereas kidnappings have decreased from 1787 in 2021 to 1645 in 2022. Similarly, theft-related cases have also been reduced from 8417 in 2021 to 8407 in 2022 and cases related to the Excise Act have decreased from 10745 in 2021 to 9104 in 2022. The data also shows a significant decline in the total number of first information reports (FIRs) registered in the state from 73581 in 2021 to 71827 in 2022. Recounting the achievements, Inspector General of Police (IG) Sukhchain Singh Gill on Monday said that during 2022, the Internal Security has busted 18 terror modules with the arrest of 119 terrorist/radicals after recovering 43 Rifles, 220 Revolvers/Pistols, 13 Tiffin Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), 24.5Kg RDX and other explosives, 37 Hand Grenades, two Sleeves of disposed Rocket Launcher, 22 Drones, and 23 vehicles. He said, similarly, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), since its formation on April 6, 2022, has succeeded in busting 111 gangster/criminal modules after arresting 428 gangsters/criminals and neutralizing two, after recovering 411 weapons, 97 vehicles used in criminal activities, 44.21 KGs heroin and Rs 1.30 crores money. Pertinently, immediately after coming to power, the CM Bhagwant Mann-led state government formed a special Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) headed by ADGP Promod Ban to wipe out gangsters from the state. The IGP said that from January 1 to December 20, 2022, five major incidents have taken place in Punjab including an IED blast at Police Post Kalwa, PS Noorpur Bedi, Ropar; RPG attack at Intelligence Headquarters building at Mohali; Murder of Punjabi Singer Shubhdeep Singh alias Sidhu Moosewala; Killing of Bargari sacrilege accused Pardeep Kumar and RPG attack at PS Sarhali, Tarn Taran. Punjab Police have effectively solved all these major crimes, he added. IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill, who has been holding weekly press conferences to update people on drug recovery, said that Punjab Government is committed to making Punjab a drug-free state and extensive anti-drug drives have been launched by the Punjab Police to combat the menace of drugs from the border State. (editor@dailyworld.in)