Guwahati : The number of those killed in Assam has been steadily increasing, from 1,321 in 2011, to 1,368 in 2012 and 1,383 in 2013, while 876 people have been killed till July this year, a minister said Monday.
These figures and more given by Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain in the state assembly show that instances of rapes, kidnappings, crime against women and militants’ attacks have all gone up in the recent years.
The minister was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who oversees the state home department.
Hussain said that crimes like kidnappings and rapes have also been on the rise in the state in the last three years.
The number of kidnappings 3,785 in 2011, increased to 3,812 in 2012 and 4,831 in 2013.
The state has already recorded 3,261 abductions till July this year, the minister told the house.
“There were 1,707 rape cases in 2011, 1,716 in 2012 and 1,960 cases in 2013. Till July this year, the state has recorded 1,202 cases of rape,” Hussain said, adding that crime against women has also increased manifold in the state in last three years.
“There were 11,503 cases of crime against women in 2011. The figures went up to 13,544 in 2012 and 17,449 in 2013. The state has already witnessed 12,164 cases of crime against women till July this year,” Hussain said.
However, the cases of witch hunting are on the decline in the state.
While 29 people were killed in the name of witch hunting in 2011, 11 people were killed in 2012. A total of 16 people were branded as witches and killed in 2013, the minister said, adding that only two people were killed in Assam till July this year in the name of witch hunting.
The cases of bomb blasts have also recorded a decline in Assam, Hussain said.
He said there were 30 instances of bomb blasts in 2012, the state recorded 29 bomb blasts last year and there were 11 bomb blasts till July this year.
According to the records, a total of 233 people were killed and 468 people were injured during militant-related incidents in the state since 2011.
“While 190 civilians were killed in militant firing, 24 security personnel were killed in militant firing. Another 16 civilians and three security forces were killed in bomb blasts triggered by militants,” Hussain said.
He added that 34 civilians were killed and 58 others were injured in police and security forces firing since 2011.