Odisha Witnessed Drop In Rape, Murder Cases In 2022, Says White Paper

Bhubaneswar: Odisha recorded a decrease in rape and murder cases in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to the White Paper released by the state government.

However, cases relating to cognisable offences rose from 1,55,420 in 2021 to 1,78,190 in 2022, the document said, describing the overall law and order situation in the state as largely peaceful last year.

While the total number of rape cases dropped to 3,184 in 2022 from 3,327 in 2021, murder cases marginally came down to 1379 in 2022 from 1394 cases in the previous year, said the White Paper brought out by the Home department.

Cases relating to offences like dacoity, robbery, theft, burglary and swindling increases last year as against 2021, it said.

On naxal situation, the White Paper said that over 3,000 active militia, who had been providing support to Maoists, along with their sympathisers surrendered to Odisha police under the ‘ghar wapsi’ programme to return to mainstream last year.

The situation relating to left-wing extremism (LWE) significantly improved in the state in 2022. when seven Maoists were shot dead by security personnel. At least 12 Maoists were arrested and three others surrendered during the year, it said.

In all, 12 exchange of fire incidents involving Maoists and security forces were reported in 2022 in which eight civilians and three security personnel were killed, the White Paper said.

In 2021, 28 Maoist-related violence, including 21 exchange of fire incidents were reported in the state in which two civilians were killed and one security personnel died. Seven Maoists were gunned down by the security forces while 36 were arrested in 2021. A total of 21 Maoists surrendered before the police in 2022.

A total of 1,983 cyber crime cases were registered in the state in 2022. At least 263 dowry related murders and 106 suicides were reported during the year, the White Paper added.