Cuttack, Jan. 7: The issue of rising number of atrocities against women was discussed at the 58th senior police officers' conference here today.

The statistics reveal that there has been an 8 per cent increase in the number of rape incidents in the state compared to 2013. However, there has been a decline of nearly 16.7 per cent in the incident of eve teasing and molestation.

Official sources said that as many as 1,978 rape cases were registered in 2014 against 1,832 in 2013.

Officers have been asked to ensure that cases pertaining to women, children and other weaker sections are dealt with utmost care and sensitivity at the police station level.

Addressing the conference, director-general of police Sanjiv Marik said there had been instances where there was a series of law and order situations due to the lack of timely action on part of the police officers in various parts of the state.

'There is an urgent requirement to boost the infrastructure for effective implementation of various service-driven systems introduced by the state government. We have asked officers to be sensible while dealing with cases of atrocities against women, children and the weaker sections,' said Marik.

Marik said Odisha police were now focusing on intelligence-based operations to tackle the Left wing extremism that has registered a steep decline in the remote areas in the state.

The police have also recovered a number of articles during the recent joint combing operation in Malkangiri district and efforts are on to intensify the operations against the Left wing extremism in the state.

The senior police officers' conference is an annual exercise, which aims to review various professional aspects subjects that have become essential in developing leadership qualities.

Superintendents of police of all the 30 districts, commandants of all armed police battalions, range IGs and DIGs, IPS officers under training, senior officers of various police establishments as well as home guards and officials of state vigilance and prison had taken part in the two-day conference.

The officials have also been asked to ensure timely investigation and proper examination of the persons involved in various criminal cases to increase the conviction rate.

'Efforts are on to ensure speedy investigation within 60 days, and the crime branch is also monitoring the cases in all the Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit in all the districts,' said additional director-general of police (crime branch) B.K. Sharma.