Assam has recorded one of the sharpest declines in overall crime rates in the country, according to the newly released Crime in India 2024 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The data has given a major boost to the BJP-led government’s governance narrative as the state enters a new political term following the 2026 Assembly elections.
On May 8, Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the state registered 49,552 crime cases in 2024, compared to 64,959 cases in 2023 and 68,937 cases in 2022. The figures reflect a 28% decline in crime over the last two years, placing Assam among the leading states in crime reduction.
With an estimated population of around 3.616 crore, Assam’s crime rate now stands at 137 cases per lakh population, far below the national average of 418. The state has also shown improvement in police performance. The charge-sheeting rate rose to 67.1% in 2024 from below 50% in previous years, indicating faster investigations and improved policing efficiency.
The government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently projected law and order as a central part of its governance agenda since coming to power in 2021. The administration has focused on proactive policing, modernisation of the police force, and action against organised crime, illegal immigration, and narcotics.
Senior officials in Assam Police have also pointed to reforms such as improved training, community outreach programmes, and the use of technology in surveillance and case tracking. The minister credited “sustained governance, stronger policing, and collective efforts” for the improvement. He said the state was moving from a history marked by insurgency and instability towards a phase centred on “peace, growth, and investment.”
The timing of the NCRB report is politically significant. After securing a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, the NDA alliance is expected to use the data to strengthen its claim of restoring security and stability in a state that has long faced ethnic violence, militancy, and border-related challenges.
The NCRB data also highlights continuing challenges. Assam’s conviction rate remains at 22.3%, significantly lower than the national average of 53.3%. This points to gaps between investigation and successful prosecution.
Earlier NCRB reports up to 2023 had shown increases in crimes against children, partly due to increased reporting and action against child marriage cases. Crimes against women have also historically remained high in the state compared to some other regions. The 2024 report additionally points to rising cybercrime trends across the country, an area experts say Assam must prepare for as digital access expands.
Opposition leaders, including members of the Congress party, have in the past raised concerns over selective enforcement and possible under-reporting in sensitive areas. Even so, the consistent decline in crime figures over multiple years has strengthened claims of broader systemic improvement.
The drop in crime is also being linked to the government’s wider development strategy. From peace accords with insurgent groups to infrastructure expansion and welfare programmes, the Sarma government has promoted a model of “development with security.” Lower crime levels are expected to improve Assam’s appeal to investors under India’s Act East Policy, while also supporting tourism and the tea industry.
The trend reflects what many describe as the “Himanta model” — a mix of assertive politics and administrative focus. Measures such as targets for district police chiefs, community policing drives, and coordination between agencies on border security are being seen as contributing factors.
