THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If statistics are to be believed, Thiruvananthapuram has been and continues to be the wild wild west of Kerala with the highest number of murders. Murder attempts and arson also have been much higher than in politically volatile Kannur and the most populated Malappuram district.
In 2016, around 42 murders took place in the capital of which 27 were in Thiruvananthapuram Rural limits. This is the least reported from this area in the past five years. Kochi trails behind with 35 murders being reported in the city and rural combined last year. At Kannur, only 27 murders were reported in 2016.
As per Assistant Commissioner (District Crime Record Bureau) Prathapan Nair, a combination of factors leads to the high number of murders in the capital. “Murders are high during politically charged situations such as before and after elections and during temple festival seasons. Gangs who are under the influence of alcohol often are involved in murders. Adding to this, the numbers of land disputes are high in the rural district,” Mr Nair who had probed several murder cases said.
Arson also has been the highest in the capital with 42 cases being reported last year. Interestingly, the number of hurt cases was highest at Thrissur Rural (833) and Kannur (679) last year. According to section 319 IPC, hurt is when someone causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to a person. Traditionally, hurt cases are highest in Kannur where the number often crosses well over 1,000 annually.
