‘Heinous crime’ graph dips further in UP this year

LUCKNOW: Amid allegations from Opposition about the rising crime graph in UP, the state police on Thursday released crime statistics from January 1 to July 31 for seven years—2013 to 2020.
The comparative study of crime data in the corresponding period for the seven years indicates that the situation has improved in 2020.

It also shows that police have been cracking the whip on hardened criminals with the National Security Act and Gangster Act. If crime statistics from 2013 to 2020 are compared, then the maximum depreciation in crime rate has been recorded for dacoity, with a 69% drop.
In 2013, 123 cases of dacoity were reported while in 2020, only 38 have been reported from January 1 to July 31. In the later part of 2016 and initial period of 2017, the capital was hit by a spate of dacoities. In one of the most horrific attacks, a dacoity incident included the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in Para by members of the Bawariya gang. Recently, the Opposition had also attacked the government for poor handling of kidnapping for ransom cases following the kidnapping and murder of Sanjeet Yadav in Kanpur and 25-year-old Brijesh Pal who was kidnapped for ransom and found murdered in Kanpur Dehat. However, if we make a comparison of such cases, then in 2013, 48 such cases were reported from January 1 to July 31, however this year, 15 cases have been reported in the same period showing a decrease of 69%.
There has been a decline of 26% in cases of rape in 2020 compared to 2013. Other cases like loot and murder have also recorded a decline in 2020.
UP ADG, law and order, Prashant Kumar attributed the decline in the rate of crime to absence of political interference in the working of police and complete transparency and merit for field postings of police personnel.
The officer also added that though crime rate reduced drastically during the lockdown period, soon after unlock, crimes spiked again, hence that balance was maintained. “We had made all preparations anticipating the same so the crimes were again controlled,” he said.
Kumar also said that senior officers of the rank of ADG are now supervising and monitoring cases, not only ensuring qualitative investigation but also reducing pendency. “In heinous cases of crime, and crimes related to women and children, police are arresting the accused and immediately registering FIRs,” he said.
The officer also cited how placing of police response vehicles—both two-wheelers and four-wheelers—at hotspots of chain/purse/mobile loot and snatching have brought down loot cases by 56% in 2020 in comparison to 2013.
Another officer at police headquarters said that the government had given impetus to modernisation of police and also increased its budget from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 28,000 crore.
“In the current regime, UP 112 was launched for all contingencies ahead of many other states. Also Insas was inducted, shedding Enfield rifles,” he said.
The officer also said that almost 14 wanted criminals carrying cash rewards of up to Rs 2.5 lakh had been killed in encounters, following the fear of which over 5,000 had surrendered.
“CM Yogi has directed that NSA be slapped in case of crimes which affect public order so that there is a feeling of fear among criminals and a feeling of safety among the public,” said additional chief secretary (home) Awanish Awasthi.
“Life imprisonment was sentenced to 193 offenders, while in five cases, court announced death penalty. In the another 724 cases registered, court awarded imprisonment,” said Ashutosh Pandey, ADG prosecution.