July 2, 2014
Crimes against women have come down in Bengal, says NCRB data
The 2013 national crime statistics-released by the National Crime Records Bureau have vindicated the stand of theWest Bengal Government that there has been a dip in the crimes against women inthe State. Bengal has always ended up amongst the top right since 2004; this isfirst time the State has dropped to the third spot as far as total incidents ofcrime against women are concerned.
Bengal, with 29,826 reported cases, hasranked after an undivided Andhra Pradesh (32,809) and Uttar Pradesh (32,546). Thenumber is less than the figures in 2012.
The state had reported 1,685 rape cases in2013 (5% of country`s total incidents), down from 12.9% the preceding year. Atotal of 1,58,239 persons were arrested against 1,89,239 complaints.
The dip in the crime records can beattributed to the steps taken by the State Government like opening of women`spolice stations, human rights courts, fast track courts. Even beneficiaryschemes like Kanyashree – which has received international recognition – have helpedin the cause.
