Is the capital district becoming an unsafe place for women to live? Well, the recent statistics of crimes committed against women (till May 2012) released by the State Crimes Record Bureau (SCRB) clearly suggest that all is not well for the fair sex in the district. Out of the total 6,798 cases registered in the state for offences against women, 844 are from Thiruvananthapuram rural limits and the city. This statistics is way ahead of that of Ernakulam city and rural which have 520 cases to its credit.
Exactly 61 rape cases were registered during the period in the district which is way ahead of 44 cases in Ernakulam. The near competitor to the city in rape cases is Kasargod with 51 closely followed by Malappuram with 49. As many as 390 molestation cases were registered here which is far ahead of the figures in other districts. In the case of eve teasing, dowry death and cruelty by husbands, the statistics is 241, 4 and 312 respectively.
According to a retired senior police officer, it is not the women alone who are at the receiving end. “Crimes against children are also increasing steadily. Much has been done by the police officers to curb the crimes against children. But the crimes continue to happen again and again and that is a pointer to the deteriorating social condition in the state. Beyond mere law enforcement, the police and the administration have to devise a new strategy to deal with such crimes,” the officer, who wish to remain unnamed, commented.
But the Police Department is viewing things in a different angle. According to the top brass in the department, rise in cases registered is not an indicator of deteriorating law and order in the district.
“Here the public has that much confidence in the Police Department that they are willing to register their complaints. Womenfolk feel free to complaint when they experience any problems. Gradually there will be an increase in cases registered. It doesn’t imply that there is a spurt in crime or the capital city is not conducive for women to live,” said DGP K S Balasubramaniam. He also added that with the community and women-centred policing gaining momentum in the state the crimes against women had come down drastically.