Assam Budget 2024: 700 Traffickers caught, 174 Kg heroin seized

The Assam government announced a major crackdown on crime in 2024, arresting nearly 700 human traffickers and seizing 174 kg of heroin. Presenting the 2025-26 budget, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog highlighted the state’s aggressive fight against drug trafficking. “Assam Police seized 174 kg of heroin and over 21,000 kg of ganja in 2024, delivering a major blow to organized crime,” she said.

Efforts against human trafficking intensified, with police registering over 450 cases, arresting more than 690 traffickers, and rescuing around 900 victims. “Women’s safety initiatives have significantly improved Assam’s ranking in crimes against women from 7th in 2021 to 14th in 2023,” Neog added.

She also praised the ‘Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina’ scheme for reducing school dropouts and curbing child marriage. “This program supports girls’ education by providing financial aid. Last year, 1.8 lakh girls benefited,” she said. The scheme offers ₹1,000 per month to Class 11 students, ₹1,250 for first-year undergraduates, and ₹2,500 for postgraduates and BEd students. This year, the government will expand support to 4.3 lakh girls, allocating ₹391 crore for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Neog also announced new measures against child marriage, appointing Gaon Panchayat secretaries and Lot Mandals as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers.

The budget emphasized peace efforts, noting that the Centre and Assam signed settlements with NDFB factions, Karbi groups, Adivasi groups, DNLA, and ULFA. “In the last five years, 10,819 militants surrendered, depositing 1,540 arms, 29,392 rounds of ammunition, and 36 grenades,” Neog stated. The government allocated ₹98 crore for their rehabilitation.

Addressing insurgency in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Neog acknowledged past ethnic conflicts affecting over six lakh people. “While most families received support, 4,000 remain without aid. To ensure justice, I propose an additional ₹30 crore,” she said. Over 6,600 ex-NDFB cadres received rehabilitation grants, and more than 270 cases against them were withdrawn.

For law enforcement upgrades, Neog announced the completion of over 100 new police stations, with work ongoing for 162 more. “The upcoming year will see further modernization, with Assam Police upgrading four Model Police Reserves in Dhemaji, Dhubri, Karimganj, and Tinsukia,” she said. The government also allocated land for new jails in Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Goalpara, Dhubri, and Silchar.

The finance minister proposed an allocation of ₹8,291 crore to the Home Department for 2025-26, reinforcing Assam’s commitment to security, education, and peace.