Bhubaneswar, Feb. 23: Crimes against women have shot up in the twin cities despite several initiatives, including Iclik (instant complaint logging Internet kiosk), Madh-yam (woman support centre) and self-defence programme.
According to the annual crime report, the number of rape cases in the twin cities in 2014 has gone up by 70 per cent as compared to 2013. The report also revealed that not only the rape cases had gone up, but also the cases of dowry torture, eve teasing and molestation had increased in 2014 as compared to 2013.
The most-disturbing trend emerged in the number of minor rape victims. Police officials attributed the rise to social awareness. "Earlier, a number of rape victims used to hesitate in registering police complaints, but with the cops becoming public-friendly, the victims approach to register complaints," said a police official.
He said that in most of the rape cases, including those on minor girls, the accused were known to the victims.
Sociologists attributed the increase in rape cases to easy access to Internet and pornography. "With revolution in the information technology, everyone can access the Internet easily. Besides now, almost everyone has a mobile phone, which is a suitable device for watching porn. It is an important factor in arousing sexual desires among the youth. Moreover, they have never received sexual education hence it is sometimes just the urge," said sociologist Prasanna Ghosh.
Police commissioner R.P. Sharma said the cops had managed to crack most of the rape cases. "While the detection percentage in rape cases in Bhubaneswar is 100 per cent, baring a few cases, we have arrested all the rape accused in Cuttack," said Sharma.
The number of murder cases in the twin cities slightly came down in 2014, but the detection rate also fell in comparison to 2013. While 78 cases of murder were reported in 2014 and the detection rate was 93.5 per cent, as many as 83 cases were reported in 2013 and the detection rate stood at 98.55 per cent.
The report also revealed that the cases of theft and burglary had come down in 2014, while swindling cases had increased last year as compared to 2013. The twin cities witnessed registration of 381 swindling cases in 2013, but the number went up to 551 in 2014.
Daytime burglary in Bhubaneswar has emerged as a major headache for the police. While 35 daytime burglary took place in Bhubaneswar in 2013, the number went up to 46 in 2014.
Similarly, the operation launched against illegal weapon in the twin cities has emerged as a major relief. The police seized as many as 92 illegal weapons from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in 2014 - the highest since the commissionerate police came in to existence in 2008.
"The operation against illegal firearms has also led to decrease in firing incidents," said Sharma.
He also said policing would be also upgraded as the twin cities are witnessing rapid urbanisation and fast-growing population. "There is need of greater public sensitisation about security and safety measures and use of technology in crime control and detection," he said.