By Abdul Alim Jafri / News Click

Lucknow: In a bid to curb rising criminal activities and crimes in Uttar Pradesh, the director general of police (DGP) Vijay Kumar has directed police officers across the state to use Panchang or the Hindu calendar to ascertain the period during which crime is likely to rise and increase vigil accordingly.

A circular issued by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, dated August 14, says that an analysis of records showed that crimes increased at night one week before “amavasya” (moonless night or new moon) in the “Krishna Paksha” (dark phase), as well as the week after it.

The order, a copy of which is with NewsClick, categorically states, “On analysing the incidents that happened in all the districts… of the state at the headquarters level, it was found that more incidents happen at night one week before and one week after the new moon date of the Hindu calendar. This analysis should be done every month at the level of senior police officers,” the circular, issued along with a copy of Panchang said.”

This story was originally published in newsclick.in. Read the full story here