New Delhi: Following the alleged gang rape of a minor girl in the Dhing area of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a chart detailing the total number of rape cases registered in the state since 2001.
Taking to the social media platform X, Sarma posted the chart, which provided year-wise data on rape cases registered in Assam since 2001, the year when the Congress came to power under the leadership of then-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
According to the chart, the highest number of rape cases were registered in 2019, during the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party under then-Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Every single incident of rape must be unequivocally condemned, as it represents a grave violation of human dignity and it is our collective responsibility to work towards eliminating this heinous crime from society.
The chart above reflects our ongoing efforts and commitment to… pic.twitter.com/vhMoz20OKJ
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 25, 2024
However, after Sarma became the Chief Minister in 2021, the number of registered rape cases showed a downward trend, with the lowest number in the past decade being 989 cases in 2023.
The chart also indicates that 580 rape cases have been registered in Assam up to July 2024.
A sudden spike in cases was observed in 2017, with 3,544 cases registered, compared to 1,779 cases in 2016.
In his post, Sarma stated, “Every single incident of rape must be unequivocally condemned, as it represents a grave violation of human dignity. It is our collective responsibility to work towards eliminating this heinous crime from society. Let us unite to ensure that such atrocities find no place in our world, and that safety, justice, and compassion prevail.”
Earlier, on August 22, a minor girl was allegedly gang-raped in Assam’s Nagaon district, leading to the arrest of two individuals, according to the police. The incident reportedly occurred while the girl was returning home from tuition in the Dhing area.
Locals found the girl in a semi-conscious state by the roadside and immediately admitted her to a hospital.
Swapnaneel Deka, Superintendent of Police of Nagaon district, told ANI over the phone, “Police have picked up two persons for interrogation in connection with the incident.”
This incident comes amid nationwide outrage over the murder and alleged sexual assault of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 in Kolkata. (With inputs from ANI)
