'Safest cities in India': This city has topped the list for the third time

According to the NCRB report, Kolkata had registered 103.4 cases of cognisable crimes per lakh people in 2021, which dropped to 86.5 this year. (Image credit: Unsplash)

Kolkata emerged as the safest city in India for the third consecutive year, recording the least number of cognisable offences per lakh population among metropolises, a report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said.

Kolkata reported 86.5 cases of cognisable offences per lakh people in 2022, and was followed by Pune (280.7) and Hyderabad (299.2), the NCRB data stated. Cognisable crimes are those for which cases are registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and SLL (Special and Local Laws).

According to the NCRB report, Kolkata had registered 103.4 cases of cognisable crimes per lakh people in 2021, which dropped to 86.5 this year. In 2020, the count was 129.5. In 2021, Pune and Hyderabad had reported 256.8 and 259.9 cognisable offences per lakh population, respectively.

The rankings were issued after comparison among 19 cities with over 20 lakh population. Kolkata, however, recorded an increase in crimes against women as the number of cases rose from 1,783 in 2021 to 1,890 in 2022, the report stated.

The crime rate against women in Kolkata was at 27.1 per lakh population, greater than Coimbatore's 12.9 and Chennai's 17.1. This year, the eastern metropolis also witnessed a drop in violent crimes with only 34 murder cases being reported, down from 45 last year.

Pride radiates from every corner of Kolkata as it secures its Title as India's Safest Metro City, for the third consecutive year by NCRB !
Kudos to the resilient spirit and collective efforts that make Kolkata shine as a beacon of safety and harmony.#NCRB #KolkataSafestCity pic.twitter.com/CSJfeb1C62

— Supergirl_Apocalypse (@Anika_Smiles) December 5, 2023

According to the report, Kolkata registered 11 rapes in 2022, the same number reported in 2021. The NCRB report 'Crime in India 2022' is based on data collected from 36 states and Union territories and central agencies.

The Trinamool Congress expressed jubilance over the report and is further said to have asserted that it exposed falsehoods propagated by the BJP on the Bengal government's handling of law and order.

We rejoice as Kolkata achieves this milestone once again!

For the third consecutive time, according to NCRB data, the City of Joy proudly stands as the safest city in India.

Under the able guidance of Smt. @MamataOfficial and the constant vigilance of @KolkataPolice, crime… pic.twitter.com/Tv2iTvn5zv

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) December 5, 2023

BJP, however, disagreed.

State spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, "The NCRB report is prepared based on inputs from respective state governments. The TMC government seldom provides accurate figures and correct data. We have witnessed the violence unleashed across the state after the 2021 assembly polls and this year's panchayat polls, so the real picture is evident to all."

(With inputs from PTI)

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