Cases of ‘missing’ phones rise

Witnessing an upward climb over the past three years, the number of mobile phones that are reported as 'missing' in Chandigarh has touched an all time high. However, the number of phones reported as 'stolen' has seen a sharp fall this year as compared to the past two years. Correspondingly, the number of 'missing' or 'stolen' mobile phones that have been recovered by the police this year, too, has gone up substantially.

A staggering 4,658 mobile phones have been reported 'missing' in the city so far this year. In comparison, 3,610 and 3,975 cellphones were reported missing in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Similarly, the number of cellphones reported as stolen has fallen from 776 in 2010 and 764 in 2011 to just 225 this year so far.

Significantly, the number of mobiles recovered has shot up from 142 in 2010 and 201 in 2011 to 486 this year.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime) Satbir Singh, who is also handling the charge of the cyber-crime cell told Chandigarh Newsline, "People have become very much aware these days. The number of cases of thefts are fewer as many people have mobile tracking service activated in their phones. There have been instances where youngsters have themselves traced their phones."

"This year, we got our e-mail addresses registered with all the police circles of North-India. Earlier we were able to trace mobile phones which were in use only in Punjab and Haryana. But now, we can trace the phones anywhere in the North," the Deputy Superintendent of Police added.

The maximum number of cases involving 'missing' mobile phones came from Sector 11 police station, where 1,015 phones were reported missing so far this year.

Talking to the Station House Officer of Sector 11 police station, Inspector Gurmukh Singh, said: "Most of the phones are reported missing from Panjab University and government colleges. Everyday there is a queue of students who come to the police station to make complainants about their missing mobile phones."

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