It’s not only Pune city, but registration of cases involving crimes against women, including molestation and rape, has seen a steep rise in 2015 in the rural district too, data released by Pune Rural Police shows. The information shows that there has been a 44 per cent increase in the number of molestation cases and 20 per cent rise in rape cases.

Officials, however, attribute the hike to ‘sensitisation of police’ about crimes against women and the ‘increasing tendency among women to come out and report sexal assaults’. On Monday, Pune Rural SP Jay Jadhav held the annual press conference where he reviewed the crime scene in Pune Rural.

In 2014, a total of 354 cases of molestation were lodged with various police stations under the jurisdiction of Pune Rural Police. The number of such cases in 2015 was 508. While in 2014, the accused were arrested in 351 cases, in 2015, arrests were effected in 502 cases. In both the years, the percentage of arrests remains at 99 per cent of the total number of cases reported.

Similarly, a total of 150 cases of rape were lodged in 2014, which went up to 181. In 2015, the accused in 179 cases were put behind bars. Jadhav, however, maintained that the rise in the number of these cases shows increased awareness among women about their rights.

“There are two aspects that may explain the rise in the number of cases registered in offences related to molestation and rape. First is the rise in the population under our jurisdiction. Second, is the increased tendency among women-especially post the Delhi gangrape case-to come out and report sexual assaults. Police, on their part, have also been sensitised in dealing with such cases. Last year, the DGP had given us orders to file chargesheets in molestation cases within 24 hours wherever feasible,” Jadhav said.

The data released also shows that there has been a noticeable fall in burglary cases. In 2014, 807 burglary cases were registered under the jurisdiction of Pune Rural Police. The number came down to 647 in 2015.

Cases pertaining to attempt to murder, robbery and chain-snatching also saw a marginal decrease. However, the record of police to recover ornaments stolen by chain-snatchers remains dismal. As per information, in 2015, chains worth Rs 56.71 lakh were stolen, of which chains worth only Rs 5.7 lakh could be recovered.

Taking note of reported incidents of some Muslim youths getting attracted towards the ISIS, Pune Rural Police conducted an awareness campaign among the community and also held a conference of religious leaders in December 2015. Jadhav said that a total of 15 mock drills to repel terror attacks have been carried out by Pune Rural Police in 2015.

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