NCRB report pointing out disturbing figures from Kerala

The National Crime Records Bureau is a central government agency that collects and analyses data on accidental deaths, crimes, missing persons, suicides, unidentified bodies, etc. in India. This agency not only prepares a database at the national level, but also makes the information available to law enforcement agencies and the public. If there is an increase in crimes and accidental deaths in a particular state or district, their records will be useful for law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps to prevent it. The NCRB 2023 report was published the other day. According to it, it is seen that crimes against women, children and scheduled categories have increased in the country.

There is a 0.7 percent increase in such violence compared to 2022. 4.48 lakh cases were registered in 2023. About 30 percent of these cases are violence by the husband or relatives. About 15 percent are POCSO cases. Experts who research these matters have already pointed out that most violence takes place within the homes of middle-class families. Marriage should not be transformed into a license to commit violence. Many such acts of violence often go unreported. In developed countries, if it is proven that the husband has physically abused his wife, he will not only have to serve a prison sentence, but will also be liable to pay a huge amount of compensation and even lose his job. In addition to the strictness of the law, women in such countries are very aware of their rights as well.

Women should not live by sacrificing all their human rights in the name of marriage and children. Often, women who do not have a job or income and are experiencing financial insecurity are the ones who have to bear the most abuse. If women do not have a job, they can consider starting small businesses to gain financial strength. Only by gaining financial strength can women ultimately be freed from domestic violence. The NCRB report says that corruption cases have increased in Kerala. This is worrying as the corruption cases have decreased at the national level. 122 corruption cases were registered in Kerala in 2021, and 178 in 2022. In 2023, this increased to 211.

Kerala ranks third in the country in suicide rate. Kerala ranks first in the number of unemployed youth committing suicide. Kerala was ranked fifth with a rate of 26.9 in 2021. The national level was 12 at that time. In 2022, when the national level was 12.4, Kerala's rate rose to 28.5. While 19 percent of people who commit suicide in India do so due to health problems, it is 21.9 percent in Kerala. The highest number of suicides in Kerala are due to family problems. Kerala should start planning to take urgent steps to prevent the increase in crimes against women and children and the suicide rate.