Rising crime figures in Himachal Pradesh in the last six months has become a concern for the people of the state. Presenting the half yearly crime statistics in the hill state, Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar said, “increase in some heads was due to awareness and rise in literacy of women, just as opening of women cells, headed by lady officers in all districts, establishing of anti-human trafficking units and stationing of 7 to 10 women police personnel at each police station had ensured confidence among them about reporting crime.”
Against a total of 7590 cases registered by June, 2013, the number has gone up to 8118 for the same period in 2014 of which overall crime against women cases was 725, which was marginally lower than 729 recorded last year. However, heinous crimes like murder, there were 18 registered against 14 registered last year and two dowry deaths and one culpable homicide cases were recorded against none last year. In all there have been 55 murder cases registered by end of June in the current year.
Incidents of rape had shown an increase to 129 against 111 reported last year, cruelty against women cases have gone up from 147 to 170 and 4 cases under immoral traffic prevention act have been registered against 2 last year. Molestation cases had come down from 234 to 208, abetment to suicide cases had dropped from 36 to 32 and eve teasing cases had declined from 57 to 34 cases registered. About the increase in rape cases the state police chief disclosed that 63 of the victims were minors and in 95.4% cases the accused was known to the victim.
The DGP said, the government was in the process of recruiting one more Mahila Indian Reserve Battalion that would enable the police force to provide better response to crime victims in the coming times.
Where the police was struggling to contain crime against women, crime against scheduled caste and tribe had declined and so had theft and burglary cases. Crime against scheduled caste/tribe had declined from 52 cases to 45, there were 89 less case of theft and 21 that of burglary. About the overall increased in crime recorded, the DGP said, because of more effective policing, a marked increase in detection of ND&PS cases and excise cases had been registered.
“There were 101more cases under ND&PS Act and 346 cases under excise act registered than last year. This increase in registration is a positive indication showing marked improved in detection and tackling of anti-social elements, said Sanjay Kumar.”Having launched a special drive to search missing persons, the police had been able to trace 320 persons out of the 588 reported missing till June 30.