GUWAHATI: Just a day after the arrest of a suspect linked to the murder of an e-rickshaw driver in Guwahati, Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, asserted on Wednesday that the state is witnessing its lowest crime rates in five years.
Drawing from data spanning up to August 2023, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted a significant decline in various criminal activities, including murder, rape, and dacoity. The proactive measures implemented by the current government received acknowledgment for this positive shift, he asserted.
Taking to a popular micro-blogging platform, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s progression. “Our commitment to make Assam a crime-free state is moving positively in the right direction,” Sarma posted, accompanied by a detailed graphic showcasing the diminishing crime rates from 2019 to 2023.
The data revealed significant changes in the crime statistics. In 2019, there were 1235 reported murder cases, but by 2023, this number had nearly halved to 686. Similarly, the incidents of rape cases, which stood at 1952 in 2019, witnessed a threefold decrease, with only 656 reported cases in 2023. Dacoity cases also showed a significant decline, dropping from 198 in 2019 to a mere 55 in 2023.
Attributing the downward trajectory of crime in Assam to various factors, Chief Minister Sarma praised increased police patrolling, advancements in crime management, an efficient utilisation of forensic tools, enhanced community-police collaboration, and the unyielding support of the state government in formulating rigorous anti-crime policies.
GP Singh, Assam’s Director General of Police, reaffirmed the force’s commitment to the state’s security. Responding to CM Sarma’s post online, he assured, “Sir, @assampolice shall make all efforts to fulfil your commitment to the people of Assam.”
However, a shadow looms over this success. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2021, published in a national daily in September 2022, revealed Assam’s grim track record, particularly concerning crimes against women.
Assam, despite recent advancements, has consistently been atop the list for the most violent crimes in India, according to the report. In 2021 alone, the state reported 168.3 cases of crimes against women for every lakh resident. Delhi trailed closely, followed by Odisha.
Historically as well, Assam’s trajectory in this category is alarming. The state recorded crime rates against women of 143.2 in 2017, 166 in 2018, 155 in 2019, and 154.3 in 2020.
While the declining overall crime rates are commendable, the 10.22% spike in crimes against women in 2021, amounting to 29,046 cases from 26,352 in 2020, serves as a reminder. The ongoing challenge underscores the urgency of ensuring safety and addressing issues affecting women in Assam.
