The western part of the city, which includes localities like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, S.R. Nagar, Punjagutta, Humayun Nagar, and Golconda, tops the list of most unsafe places for women and girls. In the first five months of this year, the western part, which is otherwise known for its posh localities, has reported 126 out of 176 cases registered for crime against women.
According to Mr R. Laxman Narayana, inspector, City Crime Records Bureau (CCRB), a total of 194 cases have been booked over the outrage of modesty (crime against women) from January to May 2012. Of this, 74 cases — 38 per cent of the total cases — were reported in the western part.
These areas also top in rape cases, with 27 out of 82 cases reported. This zone is also on top by reporting 25 out of 46 kidnap cases registered. Crime against women had crossed all limits when a girl, 10, was raped in broad daylight at Jeedimetla by her father's assistant when she went to give food to her father on June 15. Recently, a 19-year-old girl was also reported to have been raped at Nampally. P. Vinita Jyostna, a process trainer at Sitel Private Limited, Hitech City, explained: “Due to a large number of chain-snatching incidents that took place in our area, most working women are wearing artificial jewelry and afraid to venture out after seven in the evening.”
North areas covering Begumpet, Bolarum, Bowenpally, Marredpally, Chilkalgudda, and Lalla-guda stand second in the list, with a total of 105 cases over chain snatching, kidnap, and rape reported. Areas like Osmania University, Kachigudda, Saidabad, Sultan Bazar, and Amberpet under the south zone limits come third, with 80 out of 176 crimes against women reported. D. Preethi Sharma, officer, Women Protection Cell, Secunderabad, stated: “Till date women are always considered weak and fall victims.
According to the city police reports, the central areas spread across Abids, Begum Bazaar, chikkadpally, Nampally, Gandhi Nagar, and Musheerabagh are also less safe places for women, with 38 cases, the least number reported till date, registered.