Assam: Crime rate falls by 50% in Guwahati amid coronavirus lockdown

The crime rate has remarkably fallen down in Guwahati, Assam along with the rest parts of the country since the lockdown was enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has infected over 6000 people across the state and claimed nine lives so far.

“There is 50 percent fall in the crime rate since the lockdown was enforced across the country,” Munna Prasad Gupta, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati told InsideNE.

The first phase of the lockdown was enforced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 21^st, 2020 initially for 21 days, which was later extended phase wise.

“Fall in crime rate is a good sign. But, we must remember that this might again increase once the situation gets normal. Strict enforcement of lockdown rules and strict vigil by the police are the reasons behind the fall of crime rate,” an official said.

It is pertinent to mention that the state recorded 1,32,877 cases (cognizable) in 2019 while 1,24,469 cases in 2018, 1,11,118 cases in 2017, 1,07,022 cases in 2016 and 1,07,825 cases in 2015, according to the data released by the Assam Police. The state has witnessed a massive spike in cases since 2017.

According to the data Crime in India Report 2017 released by the National Crime Record Bureau on October 21^st, 2019, Assam is the most unsafe state for women and children among the Northeastern states.

Also read: Assam: COVID-19 in police stations, 12 cops quarantined

COVID-19 in police stations – a new challenge

Although there is decrease in crime rate, COVID-19 outbreak has become a major challenge for the police personnel.

In Guwahati, a total of 12 police personnel had tested COVID-19 positive. Earlier, around 180 police personnel was in quarantine. But, later many tested negative for the virus,” said the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati.

On June 14^th, 2020, as many as 12 police personnel attached to the Hatigaon police station in Guwahati, Assam, were quarantined after a detainee was tested positive for COVID-19. The accused, Gagan Rajbongshi, was arrested on June 9th, 2020 on allegations of him stealing gas cylinder and sent to Guwahati Central Jail on June 10th, 2020. Later, he was shifted to Tezpur jail. His sample was tested positive for the COVID-19 on June 13^th, 2020.

Meanwhile, a sub-inspector of the Panbazar Police in Guwahati, Assam was also tested positive of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on June 13th, 2020.

On the other hand, in Nagaon district, 11 police personnel from the Haibargaon police station were quarantined recently after a girl (15), who was allegedly abducted and later rescued, tested COVID-19 positive.

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