Mysuru: The Mysuru police will embark on a modified mission to reform people with criminal background. In an effort to bring down crime rate, they are planning to conduct counseling sessions in batches, asking criminals to give up unlawful activities.

About 4,981 persons, involved in crimes like theft, robbery, dacoity, burglary and pick pocketing, have been listed by police for the counseling sessions. Of these, 3,048 are local residents and 1,941 outside Mysuru. The non-local offenders are mainly involved in robbery and vehicle thefts, police said.

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“Earlier, we had termed the process as offenders’ parade, but now it is modified as counseling,” said police commissioner MA Saleem.

Police were earlier counseling only people involved in rowdy activities. They were asked to shun criminal activities and were assured of police help in getting them decent jobs.

As part of the modified exercise, police plans to also involve family members of the criminals in counseling sessions. NGOs will also be involved in the endeavour to bring criminals to the mainstream.

These people may have taken up crime due to various factors, including need and greed. Counseling would be effective if their families are involved,” said an official.

Meanwhile, police have claimed that their due to their continuous efforts, the crime rate and number of accidents have come down in the past one year. Officers attribute the success to higher detection of crimes.

Cases of chain-snatching have come down to less than 100 following arrests of many miscreants. There was sudden increase in the number of such cases after the price of gold increased about five years ago. Police have listed over 150 robbers in Mysuru alone.