Bhubaneswar: Crimes in Odisha rose in 2023 in comparison to cases in the previous two years.
According to a report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the total number of crimes in Odisha under Indian Penal Code (IPC) rose to 1,70,022 in 2023. NCRB, under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, also reported a 78% chargesheeting rate in Odisha crime cases for 2023.
The corresponding number of crimes in 2021 was 1,24,956 and in 2022 it was 1,43,414.
The report went on to specify categories of crimes.
In dowry cases, the number was 231, in acid attacks 11, assault on women 5937, sexual harassment 1007, assault with intent to disrobe 1978, kidnapping/abduction of women to compel marriage 64, human trafficking 157, rape 1195, robbery 2958, fraud 1364, and 1841 cases under NDPS Act, 1985.
A worrying upward trend has been noticed in crimes against women, property offense and narcotics-related crimes in the state.
Student suicides climb in India
In another matter of concern, the number of student suicides in the entire country climbed to a record high of 13,892 in 2023. It marks a 6.5% increase from 13,044 in 2022, 6.1% from 13,089 in 2021, and 10.8% from 12,526 in 2020.
Overall suicides in India rose by 23.2% in 2023 to 1,71,418, up from 1,39,123 in 2019 and 27.2% higher than 1,34,799 in 2013, as student suicides showed an even sharper increase — climbing 34.4% in five years from 10,335 in 2019 and 64.9% over the decade from 8,423 in 2013.
