Assam's Crime Rates Plummet, But 2023 Figures Only Tell Half The Story

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday shared a statistical revelation that showcases a significant reduction in crime rates within the state over the past five years.

The chief minister took to ‘X’ to express his enthusiasm, declaring, "Our commitment to make Assam a crime-free State is moving positively in the right direction. Sharing an update on the decreasing trend of all major kind of crimes recorded in the State.”

Our commitment to make Assam a crime-free State is moving positively in the right direction.

Sharing an update on the decreasing trend of all major kind of crimes recorded in the State.@assampolice pic.twitter.com/UowsSq9Orl

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 25, 2023

Diving into the data provided by CM Sarma, it's evident that murder cases have plummeted to 686 in 2023, a dramatic drop from 1235 cases in 2019. Equally noteworthy is the decline in rape cases, with only 656 reported in 2023 compared to a staggering 1952 cases in 2019. The category of dacoity has also witnessed a remarkable reduction, dwindling to a mere 55 cases in 2023 from a troubling 198 cases in 2019.

Nevertheless, it is essential to highlight a crucial detail in the presented data: the statistics for 2023 only cover the period up to August, whereas the numbers for the preceding years span the entirety of each respective year.

This distinction is significant because it suggests that the comparison may not be entirely equal. The data for 2023, limited to the first eight months of the year, may not provide a comprehensive view of the entire year's criminal activity. Crime rates can vary throughout the year, and it's possible that the final four months of 2023 could see a different trend.

CM Sarma attributes this decline in the crime rate in Assam to several factors, including proactive police patrolling, enhanced efficiency in crime management, the application of forensic techniques, strengthened cooperation between the community and law enforcement, and the steadfast support and collaboration of the state government in crafting and implementing stringent anti-crime policies.

Also Read: 'Heinous Crime': Minor Girl Subjected to Physical and Mental Torture in Assam