Crime cases on the rise in the district, admits SP
By Aafaque Hussain
SHILLONG: East Khasi Hills district can no longer be considered safe for people with the crime graph in the district soaring higher and higher with each passing day.
The recent incident near Shillong College where one person was reportedly burnt inside a locked vehicle has raised many questions about the crime scenario and security of people in the district.
From January 1 till September 30 this year, a massive number of 759 crime cases have been registered in different police stations in East Khasi Hills district.
As per the crime statistics received from the police, 24 murders have been reported this year till September which includes murders of four women. Besides, 32 rape cases and 28 molestation cases were also registered during the same period.
The statistics also revealed eleven cases of cruelty by the husband and eleven kidnapping cases were also reported in the last nine months.
According to statistics, a total of 192 theft cases and 57 burglary cases were also reported.
Besides, 263 different cases were registered under various other sections of the IPC. Incidentally, twelve cases were also lodged under the Foreigner Act.
The total number of crimes recorded this year so far is not very far off from the data last year. In 2010 a total of 902 cases were reported including 23 murder cases, 43 rape cases and 19 molestation cases.
19 cases of cruelty by husband, 16 kidnapping cases, 276 theft and 96 burglary cases were also registered last year. Also, 274 other cases under different sections of the IPC and 15 cases under the Foreigner Act were reported.
SP (City) M Kharkrang, while speaking to this scribe admitted that crimes were on the rise in the district, but stated that the police department was trying their best to curb crimes.
“In the last nine months there has been an increase in rape and theft cases in the district,” Kharkrang added.
The senior police official informed that in most of the rape cases the crime was being committed by person(s) known to the victim.
Commenting on the rising cases of thefts in the city, Kharkrang said that most of the theft cases could be attributed to the floating population.
Meanwhile, in the bid to put a check on the rising crime cases, police have begun to ask the authorities of different localities in the city and the district to keep profiles of their residents.
The SP (City) said that some localities were already keeping records of the residents but the same system should be followed by every locality so as to put a check on crimes.
“We need the cooperation of the public to tackle crimes and we give a lot of emphasis in building strong evidence against the criminals,” Kharkrang added.