Concerns Over Women's Safety in Assam Ahead of New Government's Swearing-In
Raising Alarm on Women's Safety
File image of APCC Chief & Jorhat candidate, Gaurav Gogoi during campaigning in the constituency. (Photo: Gaurav Gogoi/Meta)
Guwahati, May 11: As Assam gears up for the inauguration of the BJP-led NDA government for a third term, Gaurav Gogoi, the chief of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and MP from Jorhat, has voiced serious concerns regarding the safety of women in the state.
Gogoi pointed out that although the BJP has garnered substantial support from female voters in Assam, ensuring their safety is a pressing challenge for the new administration.
“In a democratic setup, the interests of the populace are paramount, and it is crucial for this government to meet the expectations of Assam's citizens. Women in Assam have cast their votes for the BJP, yet their security remains a significant issue,” Gogoi stated.
Criticizing the state police's performance, he added, “I trust that the Assam Police will now be directed to prioritize women's safety rather than acting as political agents for the BJP.”
These comments come amid ongoing concerns regarding crimes against women in Assam, as highlighted by recent statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Official reports indicate that Assam witnessed 927 rape incidents in 2024, alongside 155 attempted rapes.
Additionally, the state recorded 743 cases of assault or criminal force against women aimed at outraging modesty, 262 instances of sexual harassment, and 261 cases involving assault with the intent to disrobe. There were also 72 stalking incidents and 51 cases related to insulting women's modesty.
The MHA's data further disclosed that Assam documented 1,441 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives, along with 1,383 cases of kidnapping, abduction, or coercing women into marriage.
Moreover, there were 94 dowry death cases, 28 voyeurism incidents, and 50 cases involving sexual intercourse through deceitful means, along with various offenses related to miscarriage, foeticide, and child procurement.
In total, Assam recorded 39,816 cognizable crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in 2024, representing 1.12 percent of the nation's total such crimes.
While the overall crime rate has decreased from 49,884 cases in 2023, crimes against women remain a critical concern.
Under Special and Local Laws (SLL), Assam reported 150 cases related to crimes against women in 2024, according to the MHA report.
This issue has gained political traction, as NDA leaders and supporters have recently protested in various states and at the national level regarding the delay in the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
In light of these circumstances, Gogoi expressed optimism that the new government and police authorities would prioritize enhancing women's safety and curbing crimes against women in Assam.