Crime cases up, but not detection, in rural region

NASHIK: Fifty-nine murders, 166 house break-ins and 51 abductions ? the rural police have failed to check crime in the first six months of this year and put the blame on "rapid industrialization" for the rise in such cases.
Incidents of house break-in, murder, attempt to murder and rape have seen a sharp rise, even as the overall crime rate in the region has witnessed a marginal 2% increase this year till July 30 as against the corresponding period last year.
As many as 59 murders were reported in Nashik rural between January 1 tand July 30 ? rise of nine murders as compared to the figures during the same period last year. Similarl,y attempt to murder was up by eight cases to 45 this year. While the police have been successful in detecting most cases of body offences, they have failed in controlling house break-ins and thefts in the area.
Till July 30, the rural police recorded 166 house break-ins, a rise of 34 from last year's. Incidents of petty theft have also shot up by 22 to 528 this year. The police have been able to detect only 16% of house break-ins and 29% of the petty thefts.
Prashant Mohite, assistant superintendent of police (Nashik Rural), said, "With rising industrialisation and development in rural parts of the district, the number of slums has also increased in places like Sinnar, Yeola, Manmad and Igatpuri. Taking preventive actions and keeping a tab on history-sheeters is possible. But we cannot identify new criminals until they are caught in a certain crime and come on police records. Nonetheless, we have intensified patrolling during night and dacoities have been controlled."
Officials said the criminals tend to take advantage of the 125-km long railway track from Nandgaon to Igatpuri and the developed roads of villages to commit crime and flee easily.
R J Desai, inspector (local crime branch), Nashik rural, said, "With the rising population, a large number of vendors and other kiosks have come up in the rural parts. Under the pretext of selling gods, the criminals identify their targets and give effect to house break-ins."
Abduction rose from 51 between January 1 and June 30 from 55 during the corresponding period last year. Police said the rise has been reflected as per the new directive of the government, which now requires the cops to register a complaint of abduction even for children below 12 years going missing. Earlier, children below 12 years who went missing did not figure in the crime chart. The officials said of the 51 cases registered until July 30, they detected 48.