By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Assam recorded a sharp rise in crimes involving juveniles in 2024, with the number of cases registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) increasing significantly compared to the previous year.
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a total of 206 cases were registered against juveniles in Assam in 2024, up from 140 cases recorded in 2023, when the IPC was still in force.
Of the total cases registered in 2024, 113 were recorded under various provisions of the IPC/BNS. These included four rape cases, two cases of assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, 14 cases of kidnapping and abduction of women for marriage, two cases of procuration of children, eight murder cases, one case each of causing death by negligence, abetment of suicide, robbery, rash driving and arson, and two cases of attempted murder.
The data also recorded six cases of causing hurt, 26 cases of kidnapping and abduction, 35 theft cases, seven burglary cases and one case of dishonestly receiving or dealing in stolen property. One case was categorised under other cognisable IPC/BNS offences.
Another 93 cases were registered under Special and Local Laws. Of these, 77 were related to offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, nine under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, three under the Information Technology Act, two under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and one case each under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Essential Commodities Act.
The data further showed that 219 juveniles were apprehended across the state in connection with various offences during 2024.
A majority of the juveniles apprehended had low levels of educational attainment. Twenty-five were illiterate, 39 had primary-level education and 96 had studied above the primary level up to matriculation. Fifty-seven juveniles had education levels between matriculation and higher secondary, while only two had studied beyond the higher secondary level.
With regard to family background, 206 of the apprehended juveniles were living with their parents, 10 were residing with guardians and three were homeless.
Nationally, 34,878 crimes involving juveniles were recorded in 2024, compared with 31,365 cases reported in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs data.