Thiruvananthapuram:
The granddaughter of a Cabinet minister in Kerala was robbed off her gold chain, that too at knife-point. The incident has not just shocked the government and police, but has reminded that this is just another of the increasing number of crime rates in the most literate state.
On Tuesday evening, the robber managed to sneak into the house of P K Gurudasan, the Labour Minister of Kerala, put the main switch off and held a knife at the neck of the minister's granddaughter demanding money and gold.
He walked away after a frightened mother gave her five-sovereign gold chain.
"It is a very unfortunate incident, it doesn't seem to be a planned crime," said Gurudasan.
The already high crime rate in Kerala has been on further and steep rise. For instance, from last year to this, there has been a 24 per cent rise in crimes, which includes murder, burglary and crimes against women.
Less than a week ago, a morning walker was hacked to death in Varkala near Thiruvananthapuram. Last month, Paul George of the Muthoot family was murdered.
"We are cracking down on goons, anti-social elements and other criminals in the state. We are appointing an IG just for collection of data," said K Balakrishnan, the Home Minister.
It is a dubious distinction for Kerala of being the most literate state in the country yet having an alarming crime rate. In fact, five years ago, the highest crime rate in India was in Kerala. After a gradual downward trend over the years the fear is that 2009 may throw up the most alarming figures.