MP tops in crimes against minors, reveals NCRB 2023 report:Takes the 5th spot in the country for offences against women; fourth in terms of farmers’ suicides

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its country-wide crime report for the year 2023 on Tuesday. The report reveals a sharp rise in crimes against vulnerable groups in India. According to the 2023 data, 1.77 lakh cases of crimes against minors were registered nationwide, compared with 1.62 lakh in 2022, marking an increase of 9.2%. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of such cases in the country. Crimes against minors surge alarmingly The crime rate against children reached 39.9 per one lakh child population in 2023, up from 36.6 the previous year. Kidnapping accounted for 79,884 cases (45%), while offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act totalled 67,694 (38.2%). A significant proportion of the accused were known to the victims. Out of 40,434 recorded cases, 39,076 involved offenders acquainted with the child. This included 3,224 family members, 15,146 family friends, neighbours, or employers, and 20,706 friends or acquaintances. Madhya Pradesh reported 22,393 cases, followed closely by Maharashtra (22,390) and Uttar Pradesh (18,852). Assam had the highest rate of child crimes at 84.2 per lakh child population. On average, 486 cases of crimes against children were registered daily, equivalent to one every three minutes. MP finishes fifth in terms of crimes against women Crimes against women rose by 0.7%, with 4,48,211 cases documented in 2023, the report revealed. The most frequent offences were cruelty by husband or relatives, kidnapping, rape, and molestation. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest incidences of crimes against women. Kidnapping for forced marriage was identified as a growing trend, especially in northern and central India. Farmers’ suicides: Maharashtra worst hit, MP at fourth position The report also shed light on the alarming number of farmer suicides. In 2023, over 10,700 individuals linked to agriculture took their own lives, with Maharashtra accounting for 38.5% and Karnataka for 22.5% of the total. Among them, 4,690 were farmers or cultivators, while 6,096 were agricultural labourers, making up 6.3% of the country’s total 1,71,418 suicides. States recording the highest farmer suicides were Maharashtra (38.5%), Karnataka (22.5%), Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), and Madhya Pradesh (7.2%).