Guwahati, August 26, 2024: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that the state has seen a significant reduction in the number of reported rape cases since 2020, following a peak in 2019. According to data presented by Sarma, more than 40,000 rape cases have been reported in Assam since 2001, with the highest numbers occurring during the tenure of the Congress-led government and the early years of the BJP administration.
The data indicates that the incidence of rape peaked in 2019 with 3,546 cases reported. However, Sarma emphasized that this number has seen a dramatic decline, with 1,657 cases recorded in 2020, 1,733 in 2021, 1,113 in 2022, and 989 in 2023. As of July 2024, 580 cases have been reported.
Comparatively, during the Congress-led government from 2001 to 2016, the highest number of rape cases was recorded in 2014, with 1,980 incidents reported. The BJP, under the leadership of Sarma and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has focused on addressing this issue since taking power in 2016.
Chief Minister Sarma underscored the state’s commitment to combating sexual violence, stating, “Every single incident of rape has to be condemned in no uncertain terms because it is a huge violation of human dignity. We, as a society, are saddled with the responsibility of wiping out this abominable crime from the face of our motherland.”
The government continues to prioritize the safety and dignity of women in Assam, with ongoing efforts to reduce crime rates and ensure justice for victims of sexual violence.