Rising crime cast shadow over Kashmir amid economic, social struggles
Srinagar, Sep 1: Kashmir is experiencing a notable uptick in theft, stabbings, and other violent crimes. Root causes seem to intertwine economic stagnation, widespread drug misuse, social disintegration, and enforcement gaps.
While rising crime is deeply concerning, some developments—like increased reporting by women—indicate a shifting public trust in the system. Tackling these issues will require revitalising the economy, expanding rehabilitation programs, empowering communities, and strengthening effective law enforcement.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) experienced a 25 percent jump in murder cases, rising from 119 in 2019 to 149 in 2020; 2021 followed with 136 cases. Total cognizable crime cases surged from 25,408 in 2019 to 28,911 in 2020, and further to 31,675 in 2021—a nearly 24.6 percent increase over two years.
Recent figures reveal that over the past decade, 2.6 lakh cases were registered—translating to an average of 70 crimes per day in the Union Territory. In Srinagar city, theft, burglary, and drug-related offenses increased by 15 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, according to J&K Police data .
A senior police official said here that rapid economic slowdown and drug addiction are contributing factors: “The economic slowdown has led to increased unemployment, which has made some people more likely to turn to crime.” Stabbing cases are climbing. In the first half of 2023 alone, 10 knife-related incidents were recorded across the Valley—including seven stabbings in May .
A recent high-profile incident involved an 18-year-old,who was attacked with a knife near Zero Bridge in Srinagar—an event that highlighted the escalation of youth-involved violence.
Sexual offenses are also on the rise: In 2020, Jammu & Kashmir recorded 247 rape cases, 783 kidnappings/abductions, and numerous incidents of cruelty and molestation—including 1,744 assault cases. In Srinagar district alone (first seven months of 2023), officials reported:
5 rapes, 12 child sexual abuse cases, 105 molestations, 36 kidnappings of women, and a surge in “cruelty by husband” cases .
According to police, the uptick in complaints signals that “women feel more secure and protected… and hence are registering more cases.”
Jammu & Kashmir is grappling with a profound drug crisis. A Parliament standing committee estimated up to 13.5 lakh drug users, about 8 percent of the regional population .
In Baramulla district alone, drugs worth over Rs 11 crore were seized in the first half of 2022, including heroin, brown sugar, and cash—indicating an escalating drug trade that often precipitates petty crime.
Pertinently,in first week of August, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat during a visit Crime Branch Headquarters said it is high time to root out organised crime and mafia networks from the Union Territory. During the visit he reviewed the unit’s functioning, progress of investigations, and key ongoing cases including cybercrime and financial frauds.
He was received by senior officers, including the IGP Crime, and later chaired a meeting to assess the overall performance of the branch.
During the interaction, he urged officers to pursue cases with honesty, speed, and thorough documentation to strengthen investigation and ensure successful prosecution.
The DGP also directed the officers to ensure that the organised crime and mafia networks are rooted out from the Union Territory.
