Assam has made significant progress in creating a safer environment for women and children, according to the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma. Over the past two years, the state has seen a remarkable decrease of 41% in the crime rate against women, and there has been an unprecedented crackdown on child marriages. The state government launched an extensive campaign against child marriages, leading to the arrest of approximately 3,200 individuals involved in facilitating child marriages, leaving a resounding message against this heinous practice. Furthermore, the state has witnessed a significant decline of 18% in instances of crimes against children over the past two years.
The latest figures from the 69th edition of the National Crime Records Bureau report for the year 2021 reveal a significant turnaround in Assam’s fight against crimes targeting women. In the past, Assam’s crime rate against women was 168.3%, well above the national rate of 64.5%. The report highlights that Delhi was the second-highest with a rate of 147.6%, followed closely by Odisha with 137.8%. However, detailed analysis of the data reveals a gradual improvement over the years, with crime rates against women in Assam at 143.3% in 2017, 166% in 2018, 177% in 2019, and a slight decrease to 154.3% in 2020.
In 2020, Assam registered 26 instances of rape-cum-murder or gang rape, ranking third in the country, trailing behind Uttar Pradesh (31) and Madhya Pradesh (27). Additionally, the state recorded 1,658 cases of rape and 4,642 cases of assault with the intent to outrage modesty during the same period. The recent statistics signify a substantial step forward in securing the well-being of the younger generation in Assam.
