Ranchi, Jun 14 (IANS): Jharkhand has witnessed a steep rise in the number of rape cases registered in the first five months of this year, as compared to the same period in the two years preceding, according to data from the state police department.

A total of 500 rape cases were registered in the state till May 31 from January 1 this year. During the same period in 2012, 328 rape cases were registered; and in these months of 2011, 292 such cases were recorded.

"The number of reported rape cases have gone up, as a massive drive to register all court complaint cases including rape cases has been undertaken. At the same time, the rising consciousness among people has resulted in the rise of reported rape cases," said Jharkhand police chief Rajiv Kumar.

In first five months, Jharkhand witnessed 809 murders, against 853 and 837 in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

There were 229 robberies in this period, as against 230 and 288 in 2012 and 2011.

As far as theft cases are concerned, 3,300 cases were registered in the first five months of this year, as against 3,459 and 3,292 in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

Twenty cases of kidnapping for ransom were registered in the first five months of this year from the state, against 23 and 27 in 2012 and 2011.