Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 2 (HBTV): Continuing its relentless operation against drugs, the Assam Police has seized drugs worth over INR 682 crore in the year 2024.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday stated in an interaction with the media at the State Guest House, Koinadhara in Guwahati, that in 2024, police seized 183 kg of heroin and other drugs worth INR 682.44 crore.

'In 2021, police seized drugs worth INR 420.17 crore, drugs worth INR 784.55 crore in 2022, drugs worth INR 742.09 crore in 2023, and drugs worth INR 682.44 crore seized last year,' CM Sarma said.

Last year, police seized 22,776 kg of ganja, 114 kg of opium, 33.07 lakh psychotropic substance tablets, 14 kg of morphine, and 2.30 lakh cough syrup bottles.

Assam police arrested 5,059 persons and registered 3,287 cases across the state in 2024.

On the other hand, continuing its drive against child marriage in the state, police arrested 5,978 persons and registered 6,361 cases across the state between 2021 and 2024.

The Assam Chief Minister added that during this period, police filed charge sheets in 5,577 cases.

'In 2023, police arrested 4,927 persons, and 641 persons in 2024 during its drive against child marriage in the state,' CM Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister also stated that the state has witnessed a reduction in crime in 2024.

'In 2021, a total of 1,33,239 cases of crime were registered, and in 2024, the number has come down to 49,966. In 2021, the crime rate (per lakh population) in the state was 379, and it has now come down to 139.2. Similarly, crimes against women and crimes against SC/ST communities have also reduced,' the Assam Chief Minister said. (ANI)