Nagaland has witnessed a significant rise in crimes under Special and Local Laws (SLL) over the past three years, even as crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have remained largely stable, according to the Crime in India 2023 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The state recorded 1,899 cognizable crime cases in 2023, up 28 per cent from 1,478 cases in 2021. IPC-related cases showed minimal change — 1,033 in 2021, 1,008 in 2022, and 1,050 in 2023. The IPC crime rate in Nagaland stands at 47 per lakh population, far below the national average of 270.3. Murder cases rose gradually from 14 in 2021 to 19 in 2023, while kidnapping and abduction cases declined from four to two. Offences against public tranquillity, including rioting and unlawful assembly, accounted for 138 cases in 2023.
In contrast, SLL crimes surged sharply, rising from 445 cases in 2021 to 849 in 2023 — an increase of nearly 91 per cent. These offences largely involve excise violations, narcotics, and breaches of local administrative laws. The SLL crime rate stands at 38 per lakh population, below the national average of 178.
Crimes against women and children remain minimal, with only three rape cases in 2023 and one case of child abuse under the Juvenile Justice Act. Cybercrime and economic offences showed an upward trend, with six cybercrime cases and 27 financial fraud cases reported in 2023. Property crimes form the bulk of IPC cases, increasing steadily to 1,851 in 2023, while arms and explosives offences remain rare.
