GUWAHATI: Assam continues to be unsafe for women, with at least 3,009 rape cases and 17,106 cases of violence against women registered since the Sarbananda Sonowal government took charge in 2016. The revelation came during the ongoing assembly session on Monday in response to a question about crime against women in the state.
“After the BJP-led government came to power, at least 1,552 rape cases were registered in the state in 2016-17. Some 1457 rape cases were recorded between January 2017 and January 2018,” parliamentary affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said. He added that at least nine women were killed after being raped during the time frame.
“Assam Police have prepared a standard operation procedure (SOP) in local language to address crimes against women. State police have been directed to take prompt action to women and children vulnerable during natural disasters,” the minister said.