Synopsis
The Vadodara City Police has launched 'Project Shastra', aimed at reducing violent crime through targeted efforts in high-risk areas based on extensive data analysis.Key Takeaways
- 'Project Shastra' targets high-crime zones in Vadodara.
- 25% of violent crimes occur in major cities.
- Focus on crime prevention between 6 p.m. and midnight.
- Enhanced patrols and monitoring will be implemented.
- Future expansion depends on project's effectiveness.
Vadodara, Feb 23 (NationPress) The Vadodara City Police has initiated 'Project Shastra' (Campaign to Prevent Physical Crimes) grounded in a thorough analysis of crime data.
This initiative was officially launched with the attendance of the city's Police Commissioner and other high-ranking officials. Initially, it is being rolled out in seven police station jurisdictions, with a vision to broaden its reach throughout the city.
The project’s impact on crime reduction will be closely monitored over the upcoming months.
An extensive crime data review executed via the GujCop application by state police officials indicated that 25 percent of all violent crimes in Gujarat take place within four major cities, with 45 percent occurring between 6 p.m. and midnight.
The analysis pinpointed 33 police stations statewide where over 50 percent of violent crimes were recorded. Out of Vadodara's 27 police stations, seven were identified as high-risk zones.
Consequently, 'Project Shastra' has been deployed in Panigate, Makarpura, Manjalpur, Kapurai, Fatehgunj, Harni, and Gorwa under the guidance of the Police Commissioner. During the launch, senior police officials were present, and the Police Commissioner instructed officers to enhance foot patrols, vehicle inspections, blockades, and raids on anti-social elements during the peak crime hours of 6 p.m. to midnight.
Essential components of this initiative include surveillance teams, SHE teams, car patrols, two-wheeler patrols, and monitoring of suspicious behaviors. While the initial focus is on seven police stations, sources confirm that all police stations in Vadodara have been directed to adopt similar measures to improve security across the city. The effectiveness of 'Project Shastra' will dictate its future expansion and success in curbing violent crimes.
Gujarat has witnessed varying crime rates in recent years. In 2021, the murder rate in the state was 1.4 per 100,000 individuals, notably below the national average of 2.1.
Kidnapping instances have also seen a decline, with a rate of 2.3 per 100,000 in 2021, reduced from 3.0 in 2018, while the national average stood at 7.4.
Despite these statistics, certain urban locales in Gujarat report elevated crime rates. For instance, Ahmedabad has a crime rate of 96.6 per 100,000 individuals, making it the fifth highest among major Indian cities, while Surat’s rate is 64.3, positioning it third.
Moreover, Gujarat has experienced an uptick in crimes targeting children. Reports filed under the Child and Adolescent Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act surged from 35 in 2018 to 42 in 2022.
Public perceptions of safety differ across the state. In Ahmedabad, crime levels are deemed low at 27.88, though moderate concerns about crime have escalated over the past five years.
