The NCRB 2017 report - which again put Madhya Pradesh on top in rapes - triggered a bout of sparring between the ruling Congress and

on Tuesday.

The report paints a grim picture for the state in law and order in 2017, when BJP was in power.

According to the NCRB data, which was released after a delay of more than a year, MP recorded the fourth-highest number of crimes against women - 29,778 cases or 8.3% of all such crimes in the country. The state also recorded an increase in total cases registered in 2017 (24,231) over 2016 (26,604).

Congress said that the data of 2017 revealed "lawlessness" during the tenure of Chouhan as CM.

"The NCRB report has exposed the poor law and order situation during BJP regime in 2017 where 3,082 minor girls were raped. This has exposed the poor administration of Chouhan who fondly calls himself 'mama'," said Congress state spokesperson Narendra Saluja.

Public relations minister PC Sharma said that the figures are a result of tall claims by the previous BJP government. In Congress rule, there are stricter implementation of laws and tighter control over criminals, he said. "We will soon launch an 'Alert' app for the safety of women and girls. This would help them in combating crimes. The government has implemented stringent rules and recommended fast track trials in several cases, which has not only resulted in speedy justice, but also created fear among the criminals," he said.

BJP, however, countered Congress's allegations on the data. The party said that during its rule, women came forward to register complaints against criminals. In all such cases, justice was done contrary to the present rule of the Congress.

BJP alleged that crime has increased in nine months of Congress rule.

"Crime has shot up all across the state - from Satna to Khargone. Brutal and gory crimes have increased in the

regime. Law and order has deteriorated. The government should release the latest crime figures to tally the spate of crimes in the state," said former BJP minister Narottam Mishra.