Crimes increasing in Ladakh: police

Mon, May 12 05:44 PM

Leh (JK), May 12 (PTI) The frontier Himalayan region of Ladakh, which has been an oasis of peace, is now witnessing increasing crime, with police blaming more contact with the outside world. "Unknown till recently, crimes like murder, theft, rape and use of narcotics have increased when the Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali road connecting Ladakh with the rest of the country are opened," Senior Superintendent of Police S R Samuel told PTI. The in-charge of Leh Police station Suresh Singh said the first murder report of the season has been registered this weekend.

Singh said the police found an unidentified body behind the old Bus stand Saturday. Singh said a total of 301 First Information Reports of different crimes were registered in the previous year which is a record in Ladakh, where the crime graph was zero till three years ago.

He blamed the increasing crime during the working season on the influx of labourers from outside Ladakh. About 300 contractors working in Ladakh engage labourers at an average 150 to 300 each at different construction sites.

The main workforce in the tourism sector is also from outside Ladakh, he said. The police said theft from hotels and guest houses reported by tourists was also a cause of concern.

The people of Ladakh till 2006 did not use locks for securing their property but entrusted the job to neighbours. PTI.

RECOMMEND THIS STORY