KATHMANDU, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Nepali capital Kathmandu Valley recorded nearly half of the reported cases of major crimes in the country in the last 3 years, The Rising Nepal reported on Monday.

    According to police officials, alcohol has been the main cause behind the crimes in the capital.

    The number of crimes in the capital went up significantly during that period. Of the total 11,625 crimes, around 4,821 cases had taken place in the valley. The cases accounted for around 42 percent of the total reported crimes, said the report of Metropolis Crime Division (MCD).

    The criminal activities related to homicide, rape, theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, bank fraud, counterfeit, fraud and public offence showed an upward trend in the valley, said Uprendra Kanta Aryal, Senior Superintendent of Police at MCD.

    Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Aryal said that the big and mysterious criminal activities had taken place in the valley. Armed groups were found involved in the organized crimes.

    "It has become a major challenge for us to control the organized crimes," he said.

    As per a sample survey conducted by the police, around 3,240 cases were reported to police. Out of them, 799 cases were prosecuted, while 1,166 cases not prosecuted. About 1,275 cases were settled through compromises.