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        Tamilnadu is the third most crime-prone State in the country, with 250.3 per cent of crimes being recorded in 2005 as against a national average of 168.3, statistics from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveal.

        In contrast, neighbouring States such as Karnataka (206.9) and Andhra Pradesh (171.8) reported a lower crime rate. Chandigarh, with a rate of 313.9 per cent comes first and Kerala (313.0) comes second.

        Tamilnadu reported a total of 1,62,360 crimes during 2005.

        Following is the break-up figures of crime reported in the State: murder - 1440, attempted murder - 1759, rape- 571; kidnapping and abduction - 1029, dacoity - 73, robbery - 437, riots - 2551, arson - 495 and dowry death - 215.

        With crime graph on the upswing, statistics reveal that police too are in a soup facing charges. As many as 136 complaints have been filed against police personnel in 2005. Mostly, the charges related to extortion, sexual harassment, corruption and helping criminals.

        Departmental enquiries were instituted in as many as 85 cases. Of this, 26 cases were enquired by judicial officers.

        Interestingly, 157 police officials faced trial. Of them, 38 were set free while four were convicted. And 74 cases dropped.

        Following enquiries, disciplinary action was initiated against 2771 wherein 399 were given stringent punishments while 1493 received 'minor' punishments with the constables taking the lion's share.

        However 60 of them were removed from service.