URBANIZATION AND SOCIAL CRIME: A STUDY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF THE MANIPUR CENTRAL VALLEY

Geography is concerned to provide accurate, orderly, and rational description and interpretation of the earth's surface. The study of population dynamics and its impact on social crime is crucial for understanding regional development and planning. The present study examines the dynamics of population growth, urbanization, and social crime in Manipur's Central Valley. Utilizing, the data from the primary and secondary sources (such: NCRB, Superintendent of Police, Manipur central Valley, and Census of India). The research adopts technique, such as Decadal Growth method, Principal component Analysis. Over a 70-year period from 1951 to 2021, the region witnessed a consistent rise in population, growing from 3,87,523 to 18,77,416. Despite this growth, the pace has decelerated, reflecting a shift from high to moderate growth rates due to factors such as birth rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns. Urban population data from the 2011 Census reveals significant regional disparities, with Imphal West being the most urbanized and Bishnupur the least. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of social crime data identifies three key patterns: "Anomie Violence," "Marginalized Deviance," and "Economic Strain Deviance," each associated with different regions and types of crime. A comparison of social crime patterns with urban population sizes highlights varying correlations, suggesting complex interactions between demographic changes and crime rates. This analysis underscores the need for targeted urban planning and crime prevention strategies in response to evolving socio-economic dimensions.