Guwahati: The Assam government has intensified its efforts against organized crime, reporting the arrest of nearly 700 human traffickers and the seizure of 174 kg of heroin in 2024. Announcing these figures in her 2025-26 budget speech, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog highlighted the state’s significant strides in combating drug trafficking and human trafficking networks.
According to Neog, Assam Police registered over 450 human trafficking cases last year, leading to the arrest of more than 690 traffickers and the rescue of around 900 victims. Additionally, the state’s rigorous anti-drug operations resulted in the confiscation of over 21,000 kg of ganja, delivering a major blow to crime syndicates.
The minister also noted a decline in crimes against women, citing Crime in India reports that show Assam’s ranking improved from 7th position in 2021 to 14th in 2023 due to targeted women’s safety initiatives. She credited government policies, including the flagship ‘Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina’ scheme, which has played a pivotal role in reducing school dropout rates and preventing child marriages.
Launched in 2023, the scheme provides financial aid to girl students: ₹1,000 per month for Class 11 students, ₹1,250 for first-year undergraduates, and ₹2,500 for first-year postgraduates and BEd students. Neog announced that the scheme will now be expanded to benefit 4.3 lakh girls, including those pursuing self-financed courses in government institutions, with a budgetary allocation of ₹391 crore for the upcoming fiscal year.
In a major push for peace and security, Neog revealed that the Centre and the Assam government have signed peace accords with multiple insurgent groups, including NDFB factions, Karbi groups, Adivasi groups, DNLA, and ULFA. Over the past five years, 10,819 former militants have surrendered, handing over 1,540 weapons, 29,392 rounds of ammunition, and 36 grenades. To support their rehabilitation and socio-economic integration, the government has allocated ₹98 crore.
For the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), where ethnic conflicts have historically displaced over six lakh people, the budget earmarks ₹30 crore for the rehabilitation of 4,000 affected families still awaiting support. Additionally, 6,600 ex-NDFB cadres have already received rehabilitation grants, with over 270 cases withdrawn as part of the BTR Accord’s commitments.
Focusing on law enforcement and infrastructure, the minister stated that over 100 new police stations have been constructed, with 162 more under development. The upcoming fiscal year will prioritize modernizing Model Police Reserves in Dhemaji, Dhubri, Karimganj, and Tinsukia, while new jails will be built in Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Goalpara, Dhubri, and Silchar.
With a record allocation of ₹8,291 crore for the Home Department, the Assam government aims to strengthen internal security, combat organized crime, and enhance public safety, marking a strong commitment to law enforcement and governance reforms in the state.