Imphal, September 30: Manipur recorded the highest number of violent crimes and rioting cases in the Northeast in 2023, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The state, which has been reeling under ethnic conflict between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis since May 2023, reported 14,427 violent crimes in 2023, a sharp spike from 631 in 2022 and 545 in 2021. Assam followed with 11,552 incidents the same year.
The NCRB report also highlighted that Manipur reported the highest number of crimes and atrocities against Scheduled Tribes in India in 2023, with 3,339 cases, compared to just 1 in 2022 and none in 2021.
Manipur topped the Northeast in rioting and arson, registering 5,421 cases of rioting and 6,203 cases of arson. The state also recorded 330 robbery cases and 1,213 instances of dacoity.
Violent crimes included 151 murders and 818 attempts to murder, along with 89 cases of kidnapping and 27 rapes in 2023. Crimes against women, however, saw a slight decline, with 201 cases reported compared to 248 in 2022 and 302 in 2021.
The NCRB data comes against the backdrop of the ongoing ethnic clashes, which have left more than 260 people dead and thousands displaced since May 2023.
