Karnataka - Bellary   

Marginal decline in crime rate in Bellary district

BELLARY: The year 2007 saw a decline in the crime rate, improvement in detection and recovery, and effective policing in times of disturbances and elections.

Superintendent of Police Amrit Paul told presspersons that there was a marginal decline in the overall crime rate in the district during 2007, as compared to the previous year. As many as 52 cases of murder were reported compared to 58 and 56 cases reported during 2005 and 2006, respectively. As many as five cases of dacoity, 23 cases of robbery and 151 cases of burglary and theft were reported, which was less than the numbers in the previous two years.

Claiming that law and order was well maintained in the district, he said a couple of untoward incidents, including the triple murder that took place in Kallukutaginahal in Bellary taluk, were effectively handled. The police played a major role in rescuing 85 people and 1,300 sheep in Sirguppa and Hospet taluks during the floods in the Tungabhadra, he said.

He also said that the police were able to recover 80 per cent of property lost in major offences, including murder, dacoity, burglary and theft. Of the Rs. 92.31 lakh worth property reoirted lost, the police had recovered property worth Rs. 74.32 lakh besides making several arrests.

He, however, expressed concern over the increase in fatal accidents during the year for which he blamed the poor road conditions and steep increase in the movement of heavy vehicular traffic. He said that 276 persons died in road accidents, while the number stood at 237 in 2005 and 233 in 2006. As many as 1,264 non-fatal accidents were reported this year, while the number was 1,860 and 1,653 in the previous two years respectively. Mr. Paul said the matter was discussed at the District Transport Authority meeting with focus on improving the conditions of roads. To regulate traffic, he said, a consulting agency was entrusted with the task of conducting a study and submission of suggestions, which, in turn, would be discussed with the Bellary City Corporation for implementation.

Steps were also being taken to install traffic signals at four circles in Bellary city. One such signal would be installed in Hospet city too. Awareness was being created among the people, especially schoolchildren, on the need to follow traffic rules. The Traffic Police booked 35,768 cases under the Motor Vehicles Act and had collected Rs. 62.99 lakh fine in the district, he said. In Bellary city, 6,130 cases were booked for various traffic offences and Rs. 8.26 lakh fine collected.

Mr. Paul also said that the Mahila Sanchari Jagruti Dal, which had been functioning effectively in the district by “reaching the unreached”, had been successful in creating awareness among women on various issues. So far the Dal had covered 400 villages and the efforts fruitful.

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