New Delhi: India recorded an alarming 28.8% increase in crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) and a 31.2% surge in cyber-offences in 2023, according to the latest annual report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The data paints a particularly grim picture of the impact of ethnic violence in Manipur. The state alone accounted for 3,399 cases of crimes against STs, a staggering increase from just a single case registered in 2022. 

The NCRB report detailed that these incidents in Manipur included 1,051 cases of arson, 260 cases of dacoity and 193 instances of intimidation or illegal land disposal targeting tribal communities. 

Nationally, the total number of registered cases against STs rose to 12,960 from 10,064 in the previous year. On the other hand, crimes registered against Scheduled Castes (SCs) showed only a marginal increase of 0.4%, with the total inching up from 57,582 cases in 2022 to 57,789 in 2023.

Meanwhile, the digital domain has become an increasingly active front for criminal activity. The report tracked 86,420 cybercrime cases in 2023, a significant jump from 65,893 in 2022 and more than triple the number of cases (27,248) recorded five years ago in 2018. 

Online financial fraud was the dominant motive, making up 59,526 incidents, or nearly 69% of the total. Extortion (4,526 cases) and sexual exploitation (4,199 cases) were other major drivers. The highest number of cyber-offences were reported in Telangana (10,303), Karnataka (8,829) and Uttar Pradesh (8,236).

The NCRB data also documented a 24% rise in crimes against foreigners, with 238 cases registered nationwide. New Delhi was the most unsafe metropolitan area for foreign nationals, recording 63 of these cases, or over a quarter of the total.

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