Rising crime rates in Odisha’s Twin City: Challenges and measures

Expansion of the jurisdiction under Commissionerate Police in Cuttack-Bhubaneswar twin cities, from 36 to 52 police stations, is raising concerns as the number of cases has surged tenfold since the inception of the Commissionerate.

What steps are being taken to combat this upsurge? With an aim to uplift police morale, Naman Foundation is going to organise a programme on the occasion of Commissionerate Police Foundation Day. But how safe are Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, is a big question.

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Since adopting the motto 'We Care, We Dare' in 2008, the Twin City police are striving to become more people-friendly. Seventeen years into its establishment, the Commissionerate has witnessed a notable rise in reported cases.

Adjustments in the leadership of police commissioners and deputies are occurring alongside the city’s expansion. As the urban boundaries and population boom, crimes such as theft, robbery, extortion, and more heinous offences like rape and kidnapping have increased.

In the previous year, a remarkable 17,675 cases were registered in Twin City, and while this year shows a further rise, the commissioner points out a decline in grave crimes such as murder and rape. There will be a focus on improved management of such cases.

“From January to November 30 this year, around 20,019 cases have been registered. However, the rise was due to an increase in the miscellaneous cases such as disputes and altercations,” Twin City Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh expressed.

“There has been a substantial decrease in the crimes like rape, murder, snatching, theft, and dacoity etc,” the Police Commissioner further said to mediapersons.

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“Naman is an initiative to honour the families of police personnel, be it men or women, who have indirectly joined in extending their selfless services,” actor Sabyasachi Mishra said.

Notably, to ease the burden on police personnel and their families, the Naman Foundation hosts an annual event. This year’s ceremony, themed ‘Honouring the Martyr Police’, will take place on December 24 and promises a vibrant celebration.