Home Minister L.K. Advani told the house during question hour that as many as 348 cases of rape of minor girls were reported last year as compared to 306 such cases registered in 1996 and 233 in 1995.

In all, 107 cases of killing of young women were recorded last year against 90 such incidents in 1996 and 89 in 1995. While 67 cases of abduction of minor girls were reported in 1997, the corresponding figures for the previous years were 78 (1996) and 76 (1995).

On crimes relating to killing of old couples, the minister said five such complaints were received last year against four in 1996 and eight in 1995.

On measures to curb such crimes, Advani said the law and order situation in Delhi was reviewed by the government from time to time. The steps taken so far included intensification of beat patrolling, posting of armed pickets at strategic points, raids on suspected hideouts of criminals and deployment of women police near schools, colleges and markets.

Bomb blasts:
Twelve people were killed in 21 cases of bomb blasts in 1997 and one this year. About Rs 3 lakh worth of public and private property was damaged in the explosions. Police were able to work out 20 of these cases following the arrest of 14 persons.

Among the steps needed to prevent such cases were constant vigil at border check-posts and checking of suspicious vehicles, Advani said in reply to another question.

Fundamentalism:
There has been some increase in terrorism from religious fundamentalist organisations, especially in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

There were 24 explosions in Delhi and three in Ghaziabad during 1997 in which eleven persons were killed and 241 injured. Nine persons trained in arms in neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were arrested in connection with blasts. They belonged to the militant outfit, Lashkar-E-Taiba, Advani said. The serial blasts in Coimbatore on February 14 claimed 60 lives and left 190 injured. Al-Uma was found responsible for the blasts.

Militants trained by Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan exploded three bombs in Mumbai on February 27, killing four people and injuring 30. Crimes: AS many as 68,439 persons were arrested on the charge of pick-pocketing, murder and other heinous crimes last year, of whom 10,254 were convicted as compared to the corresponding figures of 76,671 and 17,022 in 1996 and 14,372 and 1,056 in the first four months of this year, Advani said.

Statehood:
A proposal to grant full-fledged statehood to the National Capital Territory of Delhi is under active consideration of the government.

Builders:
Delhi police received 13 written complaints alleging non-refund of deposits, misappropriation of funds and cheating by Durga builders.

Police:
Complaints of harassment of pavement vendors were lodged against six constables and a head constable were received in the last three years.

Consumer items:
Trade margins of Super Bazar, Delhi, vary between one per cent and over 15 per cent, working out to a gross margin of 8.5 per cent, food and consumer affairs minister Surjit Singh Barnala told the Lok Sabha.