By Viju Mangalore for Daijiworld News Network

Mangalore, April 17: Decline in the rate of crime in Dakshina Kannada district is indeed a welcome sign. The overall crime rate of the district for the first quarter of 2006 (upto March 31, 2006) shows a declining trend as compared to the instances crime reported for the first three months of the previous year 2005.

Does that mean that the district is turning ‘safe’ and ‘peaceful’?     

While the Body Offences (attempt to murder, rioting, hurt etc) have declined by 32%, the property offences (dacoity, robbery, burglary, thefts, cheating etc) show a decline of 31%. Similarly, the offences against the dalits (atrocity) have reduced by 60 %.  This aside crime against women remains unchecked. Rape cases and cases registered under IPC have been on a rise.

To augment this is the report from the Santwana, the women’s helpline. In 2004-05 a total of 177 cases were registered ranging from violence, harassment and denial of rights. The figures remained constant but dropped meagerly in 2005-06 (146 cases). In January 2006 a total of 12 cases were recorded. In February 9 and in March a 16 cases have been reported.

An alarming development is the rise in the cases of abuse on minor girls. The episodes reported at Puttur, Sullia and Moodshedde have sent waves of shock across the district.

It is indeed alarming that offences against women (rape, dowry, molestation, domestic violence) have increased for the current year as compared to the previous first quarter.

The cause for concern is also the rise in the number of suicides in the district. A total of 156 suicides have been reported in the district till March 2006.

Among the other crime reports is the rampant circulation of counterfeit currency notes. The constant vigil and stern action by the district police has brought many wrong doers to books.