Guwahati, March 4: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that Assam is confronting a “grave child safety crisis”, pointing to a steep rise in crimes against children and an increasing number of missing and trafficked minors.
In a post on X, Gogoi cited data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2023, stating that reported crimes against children in Assam had nearly doubled from 4,084 cases in 2022 to 10,174 in 2023. He noted that while the national increase during the same period was around 25 per cent, Assam recorded an almost 100 per cent surge.
According to the figures referenced by the MP, Assam registered the highest crime rate against children in the country at 84.2 per one lakh child population—more than double the national average of 39.
Quoting statistics admitted by the state government in the Assam Assembly in 2024, Gogoi said more than 3,700 children had gone missing in the past three years. He further highlighted that over 2,800 child labourers had been rescued across the state in the last five years.
Referring to recent developments, the MP mentioned that three children were reported missing in Dima Hasao only days ago. He also drew attention to a trafficking case reported last year in Kamrup Rural district, where two 14-year-old girls were allegedly trafficked to Bihar. While one of the minors was rescued, the other remains untraceable, with no fresh updates available so far.
“Behind every statistic is a child whose safety was compromised and a family forced to live with fear and uncertainty,” Gogoi stated, asserting that ensuring child protection is a fundamental responsibility of any government. He maintained that Assam’s children deserve accountability and a comprehensive system to safeguard their present and future.
