Crime against Scheduled Tribes (ST) has increased by 28% in 2023 as compared to the previous year, bringing the total number of cases registered across the country to 12,960 from 10,064 in 2022. According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Manipur has emerged as the worst-affected state, accounting for 3,399 cases registered against Scheduled Tribes. While the state only registered one case under this category in 2022, and no case at all in 2021, it witnessed ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023.

“In crimes against STs, 260 cases of dacoity were registered in 2023 in Manipur, 1,051 cases of arson, 203 cases of intentional insult or intimidation with intent to humiliate, and 193 cases of occupying/dispossessing land belonging to STs,” said the NCRB data.

In comparison, crime against Scheduled Castes (SC) marginally increased by 0.4%, with a total of 57,789 cases registered in 2023, up from 57,582 cases in the previous year.

“A total of 12,960 cases were registered for committing crimes against STs, showing an increase of 28% as compared to 10,064 cases in 2022. Crime rate (per lakh population) increased from 9.6 in 2022 to 12.4 in 2023. In crime head-wise states, the highest number of cases—2,757—was registered under the category of simple hurt, followed by riots with 1,707 cases and rape with 1,189 cases,” the report stated.

State-Wise Data on Crime

The statewide data suggests that Madhya Pradesh reported the second-highest number of crimes against Scheduled Tribes, with 2,858 cases registered in 2023. With a total of 2,979 cases registered in 2022 and 2,627 in 2021, Madhya Pradesh is followed by Rajasthan with 2,453 cases in 2023, down from 2,521 cases in 2022, but up from 2,121 cases in 2021.

“The majority of cases under crimes against women were registered under cruelty by husband or relatives with 1,33,676 cases, kidnapping and abduction of women with 88,609 cases, followed by assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty with 83,891 cases, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act with 66,232 cases. The crime rate registered per lakh women population was 66.2 in 2023, in comparison to 66.4 in 2022,” stated the NCRB data.

According to the same report, a total of 1,77,335 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2023, an increase of 6.2% compared to 1,62,449 cases in 2022.

“In percentage terms, major crime heads under crimes against children in 2023 were kidnapping and abduction of children with 79,884 cases and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act with 67,694 cases… The crime rate registered per lakh children population was 39.9 in 2023 in comparison with 36.6 in 2022,” said the report.

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