NCRB: Madhya Pradesh Ranks No. 1 in Atrocities Against Tribals, What’s the Reason? TM Exclusive
Crimes against women, children, and Dalit-tribal communities raise concerns; MP also ranks among the top states in dowry deaths, kidnappings, and POCSO cases.
Bhopal. The latest NCRB data has raised serious questions about the law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh. The increasing crimes against women, tribals, children, and vulnerable groups have raised concerns about the state’s security system. Opposition parties and social organizations believe that the government’s indifferent attitude and administrative laxity are contributing to the steady rise in criminal incidents. They allege that criminals are losing their fear of the law, while victims are unable to access timely justice and protection.
The “Crime in India 2024” report, released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a nationwide crime data center, has raised serious questions about the law and order situation and social security in Madhya Pradesh. According to the report, Madhya Pradesh has reached the top spot in the country in crimes against the Scheduled Tribes (ST). The state also ranked among the top states in the country for crimes against women, dowry deaths, crimes against children, kidnapping, murder, and POCSO cases. The data revealed in the report indicates that the safety of women and vulnerable groups continues to be a challenge in the state.
The NCRB released this report on May 6, 2026, and includes crime statistics for the year 2024. Normally, this report should have been released by September 2025, but this time, due to delays in data verification and matching of crime information, the report was released nearly eight months later.
Rape every three hours in MP
According to the report, a total of 32,832 cases against women were registered in Madhya Pradesh during 2024, ranking the state fifth in the country for the fourth consecutive year. According to the data, an average of more than 90 crimes against women were registered daily in the state. These include rape, dowry harassment, domestic violence, kidnapping, and other serious crimes. The report also states that a rape case is being registered every three hours in the state, which raises serious questions about the safety of women.
The situation in Madhya Pradesh regarding dowry deaths is also extremely worrying. According to the NCRB, a total of 450 cases of dowry deaths were registered in the state in 2024. Of these, 232 cases were registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 218 under sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). Madhya Pradesh ranked third in the country in this category. Uttar Pradesh ranked first with 2,038 cases, while Bihar ranked second. Experts believe that dowry practices and domestic violence against women remain serious social problems in both rural and urban areas.
Increase in kidnapping cases
The report also expressed concern about murder and kidnapping cases. Madhya Pradesh ranked fourth in the country for both murder and kidnapping. However, murder cases have seen a slight decline in the last two years. In 2022, 1,978 murder cases were reported in the state, which decreased to 1,832 in 2023 and 1,813 in 2024. This means a decrease of 173 murder cases was recorded in two years. In contrast, kidnapping cases have steadily increased. In 2022, 10,409 kidnapping cases were registered in the state, which increased to 11,768 in 2023 and 11,847 in 2024. This means that on average, 32 kidnapping cases are being reported daily in the state. Madhya Pradesh ranks fourth in kidnapping cases, after Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
Crimes against tribals on the rise
Madhya Pradesh’s rise to first place in the country in crimes against the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category is considered a matter of great concern. According to the NCRB, 3,165 cases were registered against the ST community in the state in 2024. Madhya Pradesh ranked second in the country with 7,765 cases of crime against the Scheduled Caste (SC). Social organizations and human rights activists say that incidents of violence, land disputes, social discrimination, and harassment against tribal and Dalit communities continue to emerge, but effective measures to prevent them remain insufficient.
Madhya Pradesh’s situation remains dire when it comes to crimes against children. However, it’s a matter of relief that while last year the state ranked first in the country in this category, this time it has slipped to third place. According to the NCRB report, 21,908 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2024. These include cases such as child sexual abuse, kidnapping, child marriage, child labor, and violence. 3,721 cases were also registered in the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, placing Madhya Pradesh fourth in the country. Tamil Nadu ranked first in this list with 5,320 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 4,829 cases, and Uttar Pradesh with 3,671 cases.
Experts believe that this NCRB report not only reflects crime statistics but also presents a picture of social inequality, insecurity of women, oppression of vulnerable groups, and administrative challenges. The steadily increasing crime has raised questions about the functioning of the state government and police administration. Social organizations say that strict laws alone are not enough to control crime; instead, grassroots education, social awareness, sensitive policing, and a speedy justice system are also needed.
Tribal Congress raises questions
In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Ramu Tekam, State President of the Congress Scheduled Tribe Department, launched a scathing attack on the state government over the NCRB report. He said that the continuous increase in crimes against tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh is extremely worrying. The state’s ranking first in the country in cases of ST atrocities is proof of the complete breakdown of law and order in the state. He alleged that tribal communities are still victims of violence, exploitation, land grabbing, and social oppression, but the government has failed to take action with sensitivity.
Ramu Tekam said that the government is only busy making announcements and advertisements, while the tribal community on the ground is feeling unsafe. He said that the increasing crimes against women, children, and vulnerable sections prove that criminals have lost their fear of the law. Tekam demanded that cases of tribal atrocities be monitored with special vigilance, that the culprits be punished quickly through fast-track courts, and that the victim families be provided immediate justice and protection.
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Sangeeta Sharma, a former member of the State Women’s Commission, expressed concern over the increasing crimes against women and children, saying that the NCRB report highlights the dire situation of women and girls in Madhya Pradesh. She said that the ever-increasing number of rape, kidnapping, dowry deaths, and POCSO cases in the state proves that the government has completely failed to ensure the safety of women and children. Sangeeta Sharma alleged that criminals have lost their fear of the law and victims are not getting timely justice, leading to the increasing number of such incidents.
Azad Samaj Party cornered the government
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Azad Samaj Party leader Sunil Astey targeted the state government over the NCRB report, saying that tribals, Dalits, women, and children are facing the most atrocities in Madhya Pradesh, but the government remains a mute spectator. He said that the continuously increasing crime proves that law and order has completely failed in the state. Asteya alleged that the government has failed to provide security to the vulnerable and that the lack of strict action against criminals is continuously boosting their morale.
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Gondwana Ganatantra Party leader Aman Singh Porte attacked the BJP government regarding the NCRB report, saying that the increasing crimes against the tribal community in the state is extremely worrying. He alleged that incidents of atrocities, violence, and exploitation against the tribal community have steadily increased during the BJP government’s tenure. Porte said that the government has failed to protect the safety and rights of the tribals, leaving the vulnerable feeling insecure.
Ankit Pachauri
Courtesy: Hindi News
