'Crimes against women rise, but detection keeps up'

Nagpur: Admitting that crime against women has increased in the city, police chief SP Yadav claimed that detection rate of such crimes has also increased. Addressing a press conference at the Police Gymkhana, he assured to give priority to complaints filed by women and continue the trend of reducing the crime rate.
“We have been giving priority to women complainants.We also take care that women complainants are treated politely and are extended full cooperation by the female as well as male cops,” said Yadav. Though 55 more rape cases were registered this year (167) as against 116 last year, Yadav said the detection rate is almost equal with 99% cases detected. Last year, 113 rape cases were detected.
Since last year, Yadav’s agenda and efforts of crime branch officials, especially driven by DCP Deepali Masirkar, has brought relief to women complainants in the city. Major changes were introduced in the system under four main heads: Operation Muskan, Operation Rakshak, Women patrolling squad and Eye watch police.
In the monthlong Operation Muskan headed by Masirkar, social service branch of crime branch traced 109 missing city children, especially minor girls. Operation Rakshak was introduced to train girls and women at schools and colleges in self-defence. Only women patrolling squads too has been started in the city, where four women police staff patrol gardens, malls, market areas where complaints of eveteasing, molestation occur. Eye Watch police was set up to provide immediate response to women complaining about any misbehaviour or molestation.
“The cases reported nowadays follow the changes in Criminal Law Amendment Act. Women complainants are always given priority, no matter whether the complaint filed by them is true or false. First, the case is registered and then investigations are used to verify the details of the incident,” said Yadav.
Besides crimes against the women, police have also focused on rescuing women trapped in sex rackets by pimps. Police have rescued 64 women with 135 cases registered under Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act.
The statistics revealed by DCP crime branch Ranjan Kumar Sharma show that out of 167 rape cases, 62 women, including some minors, fell victim to rape under promises of false marriage. Nine women were raped on the assurance of providing jobs while five cases of gang rape were reported last year.
Briefing about the culprits in the rape cases, Sharma said women are targeted mostly by known persons, neighbours or relatives. The cops said 55 neighbours, 12 relatives and 83 known people were among the culprits in the rape cases, with only 17 unidentified people raping women.
Molestation complaints increased from 279 in last year to 391 this year and 374 cases were detected.