Jain calls for reviving thana-level committees to combat crime

Flagging "rising crime" in the national capital, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain today urged Lt Governor Anil Baijal to revive the thana-level committees.
Alluding to the arrest of a number of AAP MLAs on separate charges, he alleged that the police was being "utilised" for "political purposes" and not to check murders and rapes.
"Crime has substantially increased in the city...I urge the LG to revive the thana-level committees and focus on making robust policing in the city," Jain said on the last day of the Winter session of the Delhi Assembly.
He made the remarks after Ambedkar Nagar AAP MLA Ajay Dutt claimed that there was a "spurt" in crime in his constituency, where even he was "feeling insecure".

The minister demanded that the Police Commissioner be asked to give a written report on the situation.
AAP MLAs alleged that even the district level committees, headed by MPs, have not met in several months.
The thana-level committees, constituted by order of the LG, are headed by the area MLA, who represents major parts of the jurisdiction of the police station and members of MCD/NDMC/Cantonment Board among others.
The committees also include representatives from Residential Welfare Associations (RWA), trade associations, educational institutions, women organisations and student representatives.