J&K sees drop in crime rate, but violence against women surges
Srinagar, Oct 2: The latest annual report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) highlights overall improvement in law and order in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) over the past three years from 2021 to 2023, while pointing to persistent challenges in women’s safety and road accident fatalities.
The report presents an optimistic picture of crime management in the Union Territory, showing a consistent drop in total crimes, including both Indian Penal Code (IPC) offences and Special and Local Laws (SLL) violations. This trend reflects enhanced public safety and more effective policing.
Overall Crime Decline
Total reported crimes in J&K fell from 31,675 in 2021 to 29,595 in 2023, marking a net reduction of 2,080 cases over three years. Year-on-year, the decline was 1,478 cases from 2021 to 2022 and 602 cases from 2022 to 2023. The rate of cognizable crimes in 2023 stood at 184.3 per lakh population.
IPC vs. SLL Cases
IPC crimes, which include serious offences such as murder, assault, and theft, decreased from 27,447 in 2021 to 25,127 in 2023, indicating improved preventive policing and deterrence. Meanwhile, SLL offences—which cover violations like drug-related offences, arms regulations, and other administrative laws—showed a slight increase, rising from 4,228 in 2021 to 4,468 in 2023.
The chargesheeting rate remained high, at 79.1% for IPC cases and 90.7% for SLL cases in 2023, reflecting stronger follow-through in investigations and prosecutions.
Crimes Against Persons and Women
Despite the overall decline, serious crimes continue to pose challenges. The NCRB report recorded 84 murders, 1,004 cases of kidnapping and abduction, and 438 attempts to murder in 2023. Crimes against women remain a major concern, with 231 rape cases, 1,352 assaults with intent to outrage modesty, 70 sexual harassment cases, and nine dowry-related offences. Analysts note that while overall crime is falling, incidents of violence against women demand sustained intervention and community awareness.
Public Order and Security
A significant highlight is the absence of sedition cases, as well as zero incidents of communal, religious, or sectarian violence during the reporting period, indicating improved public order and social stability in the region. Rioting cases numbered 425, involving 655 individuals, but no larger threats to public security were reported.
Road Safety Remains Critical
Negligence-related deaths, particularly from road accidents, remain a serious concern. Of the 673 total negligence-related fatalities reported, 639 were linked to traffic incidents, including hit-and-run cases, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures, stricter traffic enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
Other Crimes
The report also notes cases involving domestic disputes, abetment to suicide, attempted suicides, and self-harm, reflecting the complex social and psychological dimensions of crime in the region.
