KATHMANDU: Nepal Police tallied a total of 2,983 crimes throughout the country in the first four-month period of the current fiscal year 2009/10.

According to Central Statistics Section, Crime Investigation Department under the NP, a month-long period from mid-July to mid-August witnessed 767 cases of crime, against the 771 and 774 crimes in the same duration in August/September and September/October, respectively.

While, the month of mid-October to mid-November accounted for the lowest 671 cases. For whatever reason, the statistics reveal that the crime rates have subsided, albeit little, following the promulgation and enforcement of the Special Security Plan in September.

Cases registered under Some Public Offences Act in the period, however, were on an increasing trend.

The police registered 357 cases in the category in July/August, 306 in August/September, 337 in September/October and 270 in October/November. While, murder cases fluctuated, with 58, 75, 65 and 66, respectively. The police, however, do not have data for each of the 75 districts.

The report also reveals that cases of violence against women continued unabated in the country. According to the data, a total of 101 rape cases were reported to the police by the victims and their kin. Police said many cases of rape and rape attempt went unreported, with fears of reprisal and of being socially stigmatised.

Cases of abduction also remained high, kidnapping-for-ransom being the most common. Forty-three persons were either abducted or taken hostage, mainly for ransom. The periods of July/August, August/September and September/October documented 9, 10 and 9 cases of abduction, respectively, against 15 in October/November. Abduction cases are seen to be picking up.

Meanwhile, the police netted 202 drug peddlers, including foreigners with big haul of marijuana, hashish and heroin in the country. They are facing trial under Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act. Altogether 39 cases of human trafficking were filed during the period. Some of the accused have been apprehended, while others are at large.