Prakasam District Sees Steep Rise in Rape, Kidnap, Homicides

Tirupati: The Prakasam district police successfully intervened in suicide attempts, save eight lives, and swiftly resolved missing person’s cases, reuniting five children with their parents during the 2023 calendar year. However, amidst these successes, a closer look at crime statistics reveals both positive and concerning trends in the district.

Releasing the annual crime bulletin here on Wednesday, Superintendent of Police Mallika Garg said that though there was a significant decline in various crimes, rape cases shows an 8 per cent increase, and technical rape cases surge by 26 per cent compared to 2022. However, instances of murder for gain, dacoity, robbery, house breakings, rioting, drugs, and attempt to murder witnessed a significant decline compared to the previous year.

According to SP Mallika, robbery, house breakings, and ordinary thefts saw a decrease, with 3, 156, and 379 cases reported in 2023, compared to 5, 181, and 538 cases in 2022. The district also experienced a decrease in serious bodily offence cases, particularly in murder for gain and rioting, with 1 and 14 cases reported in 2023 compared to 3 and 26 cases in 2022. Kidnappings and homicides, however, increased by 20 per cent, grievous hurts by 9 per cent, cheatings by 36 per cent, and other IPC cases by 13 per cent.

In total, 10,036 cases were reported, and 8,960 cases were disposed of in 2023, reflecting a slight increase from 9,440 cases reported and 10,238 cases disposed of in the previous year. Notably, the police successfully detected and recovered property in 21 out of 26 reported cases, amounting to Rs 1.94 crore out of Rs 2.57 crore in losses, with a recovery rate of 75.59 per cent.

The police wing has made substantial progress in improving conviction rates through the implementation of Good Trial Monitoring System. Out of 821 identified cases, accused involved in 97 cases were convicted, including one death sentence, 18 life imprisonments, and various other sentences. The court conviction rate for the year increased to 45.05 per cent, up from 39.82 per cent in 2022.

The district police’s continuous efforts in road safety interventions resulted in a reduction of fatal and non-fatal road accidents to 354 and 457 cases in 2023, compared to 376 and 558 in 2022, and 423 and 586 in 2021.

The enforcement of traffic E-challans in 22,438 cases collected fines amounting to Rs 53.79 lakh. Additionally, heightened surveillance led to 20,841 open drinking cases being booked, collecting Rs 16.17 lakh in fines.

In the battle against drug addiction, the police launched ‘Sankalpam’ programme, targeting vulnerable groups and raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. The initiative covered 70 educational institutes across the district, aiming to reduce drug use among college students and establish a drug-free culture in the district.