Bangalore, new hot spot of crime

Bangalore new hot spot of crime
Official Figures Show City, Hyderabad Paying Price For Economic Success
The Times of India


New Delhi: While Delhi remains the country’s crime capital, albeit a little less so with reduced incidence, the crime graph is rising in the IT hubs of Bangalore and Hyderabad, latest figures released officially show.

In Bangalore, though the rise in IPC crimes between 2001 and 2003 was only 7% in areas falling in the Urban district, in the Rural, the increase was a disturbing 42% — up from 5,209 to 7,409.

Between 2001 and 2003, Hyderabad recorded a 71% increase in crimes under IPC, which include murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, dacoity and bomb attacks. While 11,831 offences were registered in 2001 in the AP capital, the figure for 2002 was 14,413 and 20,252 for 2003.

The two IT cities have witnessed rapid urbanisation in recent years along with heavy investments and advent of techies, both Indian and foreign, forming higher income groups. Being outsiders and having to rely on local work force, like the domestic help, their increasing presence could have contributed to the rise. Unless the state governments and civic authorities wake up, the cybercities could lose their vantage position.

The Rajya Sabha earlier this week was given the bare crime figures, with no explanation why these phenomena have occurred. More particularly, why crime is increasing in IT cities. Generally, this “raw’’ data is further processed by the police and sociologists.

Among the megapolis, Chennai’s graph is rising, but Mumbaikars and Kolkatans can breath easy since crime has reduced appreciably. While 7,785 cases were registered in 2001 in Chennai and Chennai Railway districts, the figure rose to 9,154 in 2003, an increase of 17%.

Mumbai showed a decline — down 11% from 30,991 in 2001 to 27,527 in 2003. Kolkata recorded a 10% drop in this period from 11,970 to 10,714. In Delhi’s vicinity, Faridabad has shown a 22% rise in cases registered under the IPC between 2001 and 2003. But contrary to popular belief, crime in Ghaziabad on the other flank of the national capital has dropped to a half, showing a whopping 48% reduction.

Mariswamy: No rise in crime

Bangalore city police commissioner S. Mariswamy on Sunday dismissed reports of rise in crime rate in the city. “It is not true. We are reporting less crime under most heads. It is less even compared to a decade ago.’’ Number of murders is moving around the 200-mark, while it was 240-plus in 1997, he said.

Dharam holds review meet with police

Chief minister N. Dharam Singh held a review meeting with the Bangalore police on Sunday in the wake of the security threat to IT companies.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Singh said: "I have seen media reports on this, but I have no concrete evidence about such threats. The issue will also be discussed in the House.''