Despite a slight increase in reported cases, Nagaland remains the safest state for women in India, according to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The NCRB’s annual publication, “Crime in India 2023,” released on September 29, indicated that registered cases of cognizable crimes against women rose from 49 in 2022 to 56 in 2023, involving 57 victims. This marks a 12.5% increase from the previous year and the highest figure recorded in the last four years, with numbers previously standing at 39 in 2020 and 54 in 2021.
With a mid-year female population of approximately 1.08 million in 2023, Nagaland’s crime rate against women is 5.2 per lakh, the lowest in the country, making it the most secure state for women among all States and Union Territories (UTs). This rate is significantly lower than Gujarat’s 22.9 and far below the national average of 66.2. However, in absolute numbers, the UTs of Ladakh and Lakshadweep reported fewer incidents, with 20 and 23 cases, respectively. Meanwhile, Nagaland’s charge sheeting rate for crimes against women fell from 92.2% in 2022 to 76.5% in 2023, below the national average, which improved from 75.8% to 77.6% during the same period.
A concerning trend is observed in the nature of the offenses. About 76.8% of the reported cases, totaling 43, involved sexual crimes, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by women and children in the state. The data reveals 15 incidents under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 14 for assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, 10 for rape, and multiple cases of attempted rape and insults to modesty. Furthermore, seven cases of kidnapping and abduction of women were recorded, alongside instances of cruelty by husbands or relatives and domestic violence.
Among the 10 reported rape cases, eight offenders were known to the victims, while the remaining two were unidentified. The majority of victims were adults, but three were under the age of 18. Significantly, Nagaland reported no incidents of murder linked to rape, dowry deaths, abetment to suicide of women, acid attacks, or attempts thereof.
Nationally, the total number of reported crimes against women reached 448,211 in 2023, showing a 0.7% increase from the previous year. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of cases at 66,381, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Telangana recorded the highest crime rate at 124.9 per lakh female population, followed by Rajasthan, Odisha, Haryana, and Kerala. The majority of crimes against women were categorized under the Indian Penal Code, with cruelty by husbands or relatives leading the statistics, followed by kidnapping, assaults, and POCSO-related cases.
This annual NCRB report, developed under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, synthesizes data from State and Union Territory police forces and Central Armed Police Forces.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/crimes-inch-up-slightly-but-nagaland-still-safest-for-women-in-india-ncrb-report
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2025-10-02 22:18:00
