Chennai, March 12 There has been a significant decline in the number of crimes reported in Tamil Nadu since 2021, although certain sections are creating the impression that crime rates have been rising in recent months, the state government said on Thursday.
Whether the cases involved sexual assault or custodial death, the government took impartial action, ensuring a fair investigation while emphasizing the importance of trial and conviction, state home secretary Dheeraj Kumar said.
"The number of crimes – murders, murder for gain, robbery, and sexual assault cases – reported in the last five years has significantly declined. The number of murder cases decreased to 1,461 in 2021, compared to 1,597 in 2021. Similarly, the number of rape cases decreased to 401 in 2021 from 422 in 2021," Dheeraj Kumar said, briefing reporters at the secretariat on the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
Although it is being portrayed that there has been a sudden surge in crime in recent times, the fact is that the number of crimes being reported is declining, he said, without mentioning anyone for the depiction of the crime rise scenario in the state.
On the drug menace, he said the state government has taken stern action against offenders, and as a result, the number of cases booked under the NDPS Act increased to 11,000 in 2021, compared to 6,800 cases in 2021.
"These cases have increased because the police have intensified drug prevention activities and have taken stern action against the offenders," he added.
On the alleged sexual assault and murder of a teenage girl in the southern district of Tuticorin, DGP G Venkataraman said a police inspector has been placed under suspension, and the investigation in the case has been expedited.
