SRIKAKULAM: AT a time when rural Andhra Pradesh is making headlines for a spurt in crime, a sleepy village in Kaviti mandal of Srikakulam district is gloating about being an exception to the trend. With a population of 1,000, Bairipuram, about 110 km from the district headquarters, has not registered a single crime since Independence. Only one case, a legal dispute, was registered at its police station since Independence, some 15 years ago.
“Keeping the village free of crime is our village tradition,” say the villagers. In case of petty disputes, they still approach the headmen seeking a solution.
“We live like a big family though there may be differences. Since my childhood I have never heard of any crime here. Our ancestors kept the village free from disputes and we religiously follow it,” says SeepanaVenakata Ramana, one of the village heads.
Police records support this claim. “The villagers prefer to sort out disputes among themselves. They have deep regard for judgements of their headmen. Our records suggest that only one case was registered some 15 years ago and none before that,” says Kaviti SI K Vasu Narayana, adding that legal cell authorities visited the village last month to know model being followed here.
On the lone police case, a villager Seepana Venakata Ramana said, “Since the disputed patch come under the revenue limits of the village, the police registered a case,” saying 82 pc peopel are literate.
The village has all the basic amenities. It has had a panchayat system since Independence. Palalta Vasudeva Naidu was the first president of village and his descendants still carry the position. We have a village commitee which hears disputes and offers solutions.” says Ananad Rao, another villager.