Insurgency has claimed over 2,000 people in Assam since 2001. Assam Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain informed the State Assembly on Monday while replying to a question and said that while 2,400 people, including civilians and security forces had been killed, 5,519 people had been injured during insurgency related incidents in Assam during the period.
The Minister also informed the House that the period is also marked by seven communal riots in different parts of the State. “Out of the total 2,400 killed, 306 were security force personnel. Similarly, the 5,519 injured includes 752 security personnel,” Hussain said while adding that the statistics also indicate that the State's crimes graph had a steep rise during the last three years time.
“While there have been 1,321 instances of killing in Assam in 2011, the number of killing increased to 1,368 in 2012 and 1,383 in 2013. A total of 876 people have been killed till July this year,” Hussain said adding that the crimes like kidnapping and rape have also been on the rise in last three years.
“While the number of kidnapping was 3,785 in 2011, the number has gone up to 3,812 and 4,831 in 2012 and in 2013 respectively. The State had already recorded 3,261 abduction cases till July this year,” he said. “There have been 1,707 cases of rapes recorded in 2011. However, the State had registered 1,716 rape cases in 2012 and 1,960 cases of rape in 2013. Till July this year, the State has recorded 1,202 cases of rape,” Hussain said.
“There were 11,503 cases of crime against women in 2011. However, the figures have gone up to 13,544 in 2012 and 17,449 in 2013. The State had already witnessed 12,164 cases of crime against women till July this year,” the Minister told the House.
“The silver lining, however, is that the incidents like bomb blasts and witch hunting are on the decline. While there were 30 instances of bomb blasts in 2012, the State recorded 29 bomb blasts last year. There were 11 bomb blasts till July this year. Again, 29 people were killed in the name of witch hunting in 2011while 11 people were killed in 2012. A total of 16 people were killed in 2013. Only two people were killed in Assam till July this year in the name of witch hunting,” he added.