TNT News

GUWAHATI: Insurgency in Assam may be waning, but that offers small comfort to its people. For criminal gangs are having a field run in the State. Official statistics reveal an alarming picture, with graphs of all major crimes – including murder, kidnapping, rape, extortion and theft – rising steeply in the last four years.

The State Home department under Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has consistently failed in stemming the rising tide of criminal activities during this period.

Over 17,800 people have been kidnapped in the State, while more than 5,500 have been killed and over 7,400 raped since 2011. Altogether 1,321 persons were murdered in 2011, while 1,368, 1,383 and 1,478 people were killed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

During this period, Assam witnessed 17,806 cases of kidnapping. The number of kidnapping incidents increased alarmingly – 3,785 cases in 2011, 3,812 in 2012, 4,831 in 2013 and 5,378 in 2014.

From 2011 to 2014, a total 7,430 rape cases were registered across the State, with the graph climbing every year. The highest number of rapes took place last year (2,047 cases), preceded by 1,960, 1,716 and 1,707 rapes in 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

Extortion cases also kept rising with registration of 992 cases in 2011, 1,074 in 2012, 1,214 in 2013 and 1,357 in 2014. A senior police official said criminal activities are mostly being carried out by rag-tag gangs, some of which even comprising of surrendered cadres of militant outfits. “The motive behind the crimes is extortion – to earn easy money. Extortion is a cottage industry in the State now,” said the officer.

He said the total number of theft cases stood at 40,634 in the four year period under review, with the highest 12,198 cases reported last year. The number of active militant outfits in the State has come down to eight – ULFA(I), NDFB(S), KPLT, KLO, HuM, MULTA, CPI(Maoist) and JMB(Module) – at present, with most outfits in ceasefire mode or holding peace talks with the government.

A total of 195 civilians were killed in attacks by militants in the State in 2014, while four police personnel were killed in action against militants. As many as 13 outfits have declared Suspension of Operations at present, which include ULFA(pro-talks), NDFB(P), NDFB(RD) and AANLA.

A total 6,082 attacks have been carried out by the eight active outfits in the State since 1991 to present, of which ULFA has carried out the highest 3,632 attacks, followed by NDFB with 2,231 attacks. The HuM and JMB (Module) have not carried out any subversive activity in the State so far.

Among the eight active militant outfits, NDFB(S) has about 250-270 cadre strength, followed by ULFA(I) with 240 cadres and MULTA with 140 cadres. The remaining six outfits have cadre strengths ranging from 70 to 20. (Agencies)