After Delhi, Assam 2nd most unsafe for women

GUWAHATI: Assam has earned the dubious distinction of being the second most unsafe state or union territory in the country for women after Delhi.

Figures released for crimes in 2016 by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) last week places the state in second spot based on crime rate. This is the first time ranks have been assigned based on crime rate.

As per data, 20,869 cases of crime against women were registered in the state last year, which was 6.2% of such crimes across the country. In 2015, the figure was 23,258. Assam’s figures are in contrast to four other northeastern states — Nagaland (36), Manipur (32), Mizoram (30) and Meghalaya (28) who were ranked among the safest in the country. Other states in the region, Arunachal Pradesh (10), Tripura (14) and Sikkim (15), were also marked as safer than Assam.

Last year, 1,779 cases of rape, 157 cases of dowry-related deaths and 5,339 cases of kidnapping were reported. Nine cases of acid

ASSAM’S FIGURES ARE IN CONTRAST TO FOUR OTHER NORTHEASTERN STATES — NAGALAND, MANIPUR, MIZORAM AND MEGHALAYA — WHO WERE RANKED AMONG THE SAFEST IN THE COUNTRY

attacks on women were also registered across the state.

Not a single case of dowry death was reported from Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim. One case each was recorded in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh and 19 in Tripura.

No acid attacks were reported in Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland, while Tripura recorded one such case.

Of the total rape victims in Assam, 1,315 were above 18 years of age. Incidentally, the offenders were known to the victims in all the cases reported in the state. Most of the rapes (985) were committed by neighbours.