Bhubaneswar: Odisha recorded 2,011 rape cases and 93,657 criminal cases in the year 2014, according to a White Paper of the State Home Department. In 2013, Odisha recorded 1,832 rape cases but that rose to 2,011 last year while the number of criminal cases rose from 90,184 in 2013 to 93,657 last year.
However, the number of murder cases in the state dropped marginally to 1,450 in 2014 as compared to 1,454 in 2013, the White Paper presented in the state assembly today said.
The state recorded a total of 554 dacoity incidents and 1,828 loots, while 9,410 theft cases have been registered in 2014, said the report, describing the law and order situation in the state as “by and large peaceful in 2014”.
The government's claim was, however, rubbished by Congress with leader of opposition in the assembly Narasingha Mishra pointing out that rape cases increased substantially during the year.
“Contrary to the government's claim, the law and order situation was in shambles. Soaring incidents of rape has exposed the reality,” he said, adding that the claim about improvement in the Maoist menace was also false.
As many as 5,518 cases relating to dowry were registered in the state during 2014, while charge sheets have been filed in 2,973 of these cases, it said.
The White Paper stated the state witnessed considerable improvement in Maoist scenario during the year. The situation improved remarkably in districts like Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Nayagarh and Sambalpur in 2014, it said.
Similarly, Maoist situation was under control in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Bargarh, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts, it said.
As many as 99 Maoists including Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha leader Nachika Linga surrendered before police this year, the report mentioned.
The state witnessed 76 Maoist-related violence in which 20 civilians and six naxals were killed during 2014, it added.
