CRIME PATROL
Special squads to ensure safety of tourists, all-women police stations and 14 police vehicles on the highways—the state has taken credible steps to control the crime rate
While most states have seen a rise in crime rate over the years, Nagaland has seen a decline in recorded crimes between 2015 and 2016, reveals the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2016 data. In 2014, the number of crimes (registered under the Indian Penal Code and special local laws) in the state stood at 1,669; it rose to 1,928 in 2015, and came down to 1,908 in 2016. This figure has placed the state at the bottom of the list on the number of crimes across states. Nagaland recorded the third-lowest number of crimes, just above Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep.
The state has also recorded the lowest number of crimes against women in the country. The worrisome part, however, is that though the state fares better than the others, the number of crimes against women has been increasing in recent years. In 2014, 68 crimes against women were reported (IPC+ SLL) in the state, while the next year it rose to 91. In 2016, Nagaland recorded 105 crimes against women. Of all these recorded cases, the police disposed of 102 in 2016.
The same year, the courts completed trials in 55 cases of crimes against women, with 23 convictions, bringing the rate of conviction in Nagaland to 41.8 per cent.
The government has set up three all-women police stations at Dimapur, Kohima and Kiphire in an apparent move to deter crimes against women.
Due to the presence of a number of rebel groups, extortion and kidnapping contribute significantly to Nagaland’s crime rate.
The state government has positioned 14 highway patrol vehicles along the state highways to curb criminal activities. These vehicles are particularly meant for patrolling areas in Kohima and Dimapur, which top the list of the number of crimes recorded in the state.
The state has also launched a tourist police—a special squad that will ensure the safety of tourists visiting Nagaland.
Total number of recorded crimes in Nagaland dropped from 1,212 in 2016 to 928 in 2017
drastic and immediate. This also led to social friction with many attributing such crimes to migrant workers.
That said, the overall number of crimes recorded in the state did drop from 3,149 in 2015 to 2,700 in 2016. A key area of concern, though, is the high number of kidnapping and extortion cases. Though there is no homegrown militancy, Arunachal is also affected by the spillover activities of insurgents from neighboring states such as Nagaland and Assam.
The state government understands the importance of peace in unlocking Arunanchal’s economic potential. In the past decade, it has gradually emerged as a tourist destination. But the state is still not able to generate enough revenues because of poor infrastructure and negative perceptions about law and order. The state government has roped in superstar Salman Khan as honorary brand ambassador and is now going all out to make the state enjoyable and safe for tourists.
One such venture is the ‘tourist police’, a squad trained specifically for the purpose. “Tourist police units have been launched in the seven district headquarters—Tawang, Itanagar, Roing, Ziro, Pasighat, Namsai and Pangsau Pass. The initiative should make Arunachal a tourist-friendly state,” says Chief Minister Pema Khandu. A mobile app—Arunachal Suraksha—the brainchild of DGP S.B.K. Singh, has also been launched. Once downloaded, the app can help tourists get information and even make calls to the nearest police station in an emergency. “Safety is key for any tourist. These initiatives should address their concerns,” says Singh.
Amid these positive developments, there are warning signs too. A parliamentary standing committee on the Union home ministry points out that, in 2012, Arunachal accounted for just five per cent of crimes in the entire Northeast. By 2017, the figure had jumped to almost 20 per cent.