The National Crime Records Bureau's report for 2020 indicates a 15% increase in reported crimes in Jammu and Kashmir, with a nationwide surge of 28%. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Delhi were highlighted as the most crime-infested areas, while Sikkim, Manipur, and Nagaland had the lowest rates. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, logged 29,314 criminal cases, with notable increases in crimes against women and a 25% rise in murder incidents. The report also showed a significant rise in domestic violence during the pandemic. The NCRB data does not account for unreported cases. A senior police officer suggested that the lockdown due to COVID-19 contributed to the crime rate increase. Experts fear that with economic challenges and rising communal tensions, crime rates in India may continue to climb, citing poverty, peer pressure, drugs, politics, religion, family conditions, and unemployment as contributing factors.

The article by Abrar A. Mattoo discusses the severe impact of Covid-19 on the education system in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where over 2.5 million children have been out of school for 25 months. The pandemic has led to a global loss of 1.8 trillion hours of in-class learning, as reported by UNICEF. The article highlights the challenges faced by students in J&K due to prolonged school closures, initially triggered by the abrogation of the region's special status and then exacerbated by the pandemic. Parents and educators express concerns over the reliance on online learning, which they believe is inadequate for holistic child development and has led to increased screen time and reduced physical activity. The article also touches on the government's decision to reopen colleges and universities for vaccinated students, while the status of primary schools remains uncertain.