Crime rate in AP drops 6% under coalition government: Home minister

Vijayawada: Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Friday told the assembly that the crime rate in Andhra Pradesh dropped by 6% under the coalition govt when compared with the previous YSRCP regime. Presenting the department's budget demand, she said the decline was a direct outcome of improved law-and-order administration over the past eight months.Anitha said the govt was tightening its response to cyber offences and began establishing cybercrime police stations in every district in view of the rising number of cases. Awareness programmes were also being taken up to educate citizens, she added.Targeting the previous govt, the minister said the YSRCP administration created an atmosphere where women were afraid to step outside their homes. She alleged that people were misled in the name of the Disha app, which she said had no legal standing. In contrast, she said the present govt was prioritising women's safety through Shakti App and Shakti Teams, resulting in a 4.4% decline in crimes against women.Anitha cautioned YSRCP workers against provocative conduct, saying the govt would not ignore attempts to create unrest. "Anyone who crosses the line will face consequences," she said.She asserted that effective policing under the coalition leadership helped restore investor confidence, enabling Andhra Pradesh to emerge as the state that attracted the highest investments in the country.