Report: Odisha saw 16% rise in criminal cases in 2021

BHUBANESWAR: There has been a nearly 16% rise in crime in the state last year compared to 2020, according to the white paper tabled in the assembly on Wednesday, resulting in a backlash from the opposition BJP and Congress over the law and order situation.
While 1,34,230 criminal cases were registered in 2020, the number went up to 1,55,420 in 2021. Incidents of rape, burglary, theft, robbery and dacoity increased whereas murder cases came down last year as compared to 2020.
Rape cases rose to 3,327 in 2021 from 2,984 a year before, the white paper said. Police said sexual violence against women is difficult to prevent as they are mostly perpetrated by acquaintances of victims. The accused include friends, relatives and neighbours.
"Such cases showed an increase because of fearless reporting to the police by the survivors. We promptly took action in all cases and arrested the accused," a senior police officer said.
According to the white paper, situation of left-wing extremism (LWE) was under control last year. In 2021, 28 Maoist-related violence, including 21 exchange of fire incidents, were reported in the state in which two civilians were killed and one security personnel attained martyrdom.
Seven Maoists were gunned down by the security forces while 36 were arrested in 2021. A total of 21 Maoists surrendered before the police last year.
The state police had killed 17 Maoists in separate operations in different districts in 2020.