Himachal witnesses increase in crime graph, incidents of crime against women show decline
Himachal Pradesh witnessed increased in crime graph as number crime cases leaped up by 220 cases in 2022 however heinous or crime against women showed lesser incidents compared to previous year. A press release issued by state police about crime graph of state said that state recorded 19503 crime incidents or cases in 2022 against 18883 of 2021 during same period. State recorded increase of 199 in burglary cases, 195 in theft, 184 in accidents or mishaps and 40 rioting respectively. In 2022 state recorded 491 burglary, 670 theft and 2592 accidents. State police attributed registration more cases of crime to special drive launched during Assembly Elections and transparency in crime registration. Last year State recorded 11 incidents of culpable homicide, 86 murders and 73 attempt to murder, 353 rape and 501 outraging modesty,424 kidnapping or abduction and 186 cases of cruelty against women. Under various sections of IPL state record increase of 185 cases. Self parting the working of Police force state Spokesperson said that as analysis of the causes of registered cases and the modus operandi reveals that no organized gang is operating in the State. In most of the murder, attempt to murder cases, crimes were committed due to land disputes, for gain and personal vendetta or enmity. In general, sudden provocation after some altercation was the main reason for most of the murders & attempt to murder cases.
Number of cases under NDPS and SC/ST act decline
Under NDPS act state registered 1516 cases in 2022 that of 1537 in 2021 similarly under SC/ST Act 195 and 256 respectively. . Under financial crime state recorded major leap of 150 cases as 3119 cases were recorded under excise act compared to 2969 of previous year however Under Prevention of Corruption act state registered one case which was also same in 2021. State registered 100 cases under forest act that of 130 cases previous year. Under 1516 cases registered for NDPS act police claimed seizure of 358 kg Charas, 340 kg poppy husk 11 gm heroin, 32 kg opium,165.65 kg Ganja, and 21768 synthetic drugs tablet. 368 cases were also decided by the court under NDPS act confirming conviction in 133 cases and 231 acquittal thus state recorded 36.14 pc conviction rate. State police also claimed that conviction improved in narcotics from 31 pc of 2020 and 28 pc of 2021 to 36 .14 pc in 2022.State police revealed that Crime against women decline to 1606 from 1700 in last two years.”
Crime against women remains focus area for the Police Department
The increase of crime against women can be inter-alia attributed to the steps taken for empowerment and awareness among women, various amendments in law on crime against women as well as various directions issued by the Apex Court in the matter to ensure 100%” state police spokesman said. Out of 86 toral murder State recorded 21 murder of women, 358 rape cases(359 – 2021), one dowry, 330 kidnapping, 501 of molestation,54 incidents of suicide after abduction, 196 cruelty against women, 72 of eve teasing and five of immoral trafficking and 64 others cases. Under POCSO ACT 553 cases registered in 2022 and Conviction confirmed in 63 cases and acquittal in 103 cases out of 170 cases were decided by the court. Stats police claimed that conviction rate is 40 pc under POCSO ACT.
Best practices in POCSO and ND&PS Cases
Weekly monitoring of crime data for deep data analytics led to reduction in crime (overall, IPC crime, violent crime and crime against women). With implementation of New York Police Department (NYPD) system, HP Police has started new registers in which 26 Sexual Offenders and 27 for Suicide Cases, and 28 for Missing Women & Children and 29 for Drug Trafficking Operators were registered. With constant monitoring of offenders is a preventive measure in tackling crime over 4300 sexual offenders identified so far, out of which 55 are repeat offenders. Recovery of missing children is 95 p c (total missing-836 & traced 791) and women is 85 pc (missing 2840 and traced 2402), one of the highest in the country. This has prevented future crimes from happening especially human trafficking. Over 2300 Drug Trafficking Operators (DTOs) have been identified, out of which400 are repeat offender.
