The party also criticized the current law and order situation, particularly regarding the prevention of crimes against women, and held Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responsible due to his dual role as Home Minister.
Digital Desk: Assam Congress on August 24 demanded a white paper from the state government, the ruling BJP, and the state women’s commission. This document should outline the extent of crimes against women over the past decade, including conviction rates and measures taken to address these issues. The party also criticized the current law and order situation, particularly regarding the prevention of crimes against women, and held Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responsible due to his dual role as Home Minister.
Bobbeeta Sharma, vice-president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), expressed frustration at a press conference, stating, "We have consistently highlighted the rise in crimes against women over the past ten years. Despite our protests and societal shame over these crimes, there has been a lack of effective government action to ensure women's safety."
Ratul Kalita, chairman of the Pradesh Congress's Social Media & IT Department, cataloged the failures of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government in maintaining law and order related to women’s safety. The state unit reported that from 2016 to February 28, 2023, Assam saw 12,726 rape cases—an average of 1,818 cases per year or 5 cases per day. Of these, 452 cases were in Guwahati city alone. Overall, 170,174 cases of crimes against women were registered, including 39,075 kidnappings, 8,358 murders, 103,296 thefts, 1,158 dacoities, 9,578 loot incidents, and 18,764 suicides.
Senior Assam PCC spokesperson Barnali Phukan condemned the rising violence against women, stating, "In the past month and a half alone, 23 crimes against women have been reported in Assam. These figures reveal the government's incompetence. The BJP called for resignations over a rape-murder case in Kolkata; will they now demand the resignation of Assam’s Chief Minister? The CM should avoid politicizing crimes against women. The BJP's return to power has emboldened criminals, and the case of BJP leader Indrani Tehbildar, who raped a 13-year-old girl and remains free, highlights this failure. Phukan urged Assam police to ensure that encounters do not result in the punishment of innocent individuals and criticized the BJP as a curse for women."
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