Extortion cases dip to decade-low in Nagaland, but crime rate still second highest in India

Manipur 'pips' State in dubious distinction

Moa Jamir 
Dimapur | October 8

In a positive development, the number of ‘Extortion and Blackmailing’ cases in Nagaland has dropped to the lowest level in a decade, even as the State continues to record one of the highest crime rates in India under this category, an analysis of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports has shown.

Nagaland registered 89 cases of extortion in 2023, the lowest since 2014, representing an 11% decline from 100 cases in 2022. 

With the State’s mid-year population projected at 22.38 lakh, the rate of ‘Extortion and Blackmailing’ stood at 4.0 per lakh population in 2023.

As per NCRB records, Nagaland had highest number of cases in 2019 (201 cases), which declined to 131 in 2020. Thereafter, it rose marginally to 159 in 2021 and fell again to 100 in 2022 before dropping to 89 in 2023.

Overall, the 2023 status reflected an approximate 30% decline from a decade ago (2014) and a 55.7% reduction from the 2019 peak.

Consequently, the corresponding crime rate also decreased from 9.3 per lakh population in 2019 to 4.0 in 2023 a 57% fall over the five-year period.

The 2023 figure is the lowest since 2014, when 129 cases were recorded at a rate of 5.5.

The crime rate too fell from its highest level of 9.3 per lakh population in 2019 to 4.0 in 2025. The 2023 figure marks the lowest since 2014, when 129 cases were recorded at a rate of 5.5.

Despite the fall in numbers, Nagaland featured prominently in the national rankings, and its 2023 status was the second highest among all States and Union Territories, compared to the national average of 0.9, based on 12,240 total cases across India.

However, after consecutive eight years at top, Nagaland was dislodged from the dubious distinction by Manipur, which had 187 cases and a crime rate of 5.8.

Arunachal Pradesh ranked third with 44 cases and a rate of 2.8, followed by Assam with 507 cases and a rate of 1.4.

‘Extortion and Blackmailing’ are categorised under Sections 384 to 389 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

In terms of absolute numbers, Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of cases at 1,750, followed by Maharashtra (1,168) and Rajasthan (1,143).

At the other end of the spectrum, Sikkim recorded zero cases, followed by Mizoram (6) and Goa (8). Among UTs, Ladakh and Lakshadweep reported no cases, while others ranged between 1 and 13 cases, except for Delhi, which recorded 207 cases.

Meanwhile, Nagaland also recorded the lowest rate of cognisable crimes among Indian states in 2023 with 1899 cognisable crimes comprising of 1050 IPC and 849 SLL cases. However, the 2023 figure marked a 19.3% increase from 2022, when 1592 cases were recorded.

Reasons for decline

 While the NCRB does not attribute reasons for the fall in extortion cases, the decline appeared to coincide with what the Nagaland Police has described as “proactive policing” and other initiatives, amid rising public concern over illegal collections in the State.

In June 2020, the Nagaland Police circulated contact details for “any police assistance or reporting of criminal activities” across various media platforms, shortly after a letter from the Governor to the Chief Minister raising ‘serious concerns’ over the law and order situation went public. 

Highlighting the initiative, the then IGP (Range), Limasunep Jamir, stated that the Police were carrying out “its mandated duty of anti-extortion drive relentlessly.” He further informed that over 95% of extortion cases were registered suo motu by the police, without formal complaints, reflecting the force’s proactive stance.

Subsequently, in February 2021, the State Assembly was informed that Anti-Extortion Cells had been established in all districts. In May 2022, the Government directed the closure of all police and departmental check gates to curb illegal money collection.

Most recently, on September 18, 2025, the Nagaland Police reiterated that a 24×7 control room to combat extortion and illegal collection is active and fully functional in Kohima, following the 2022 directive.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations and community bodies have had been vocal on these issues, often nudging police action. In 2023, a website, www.madeinagaland.com, launched for citizens purportedly to report extortion and drug abuse, though it was found non-functional when checked by The Morung Express on Wednesday.

Emergency numbers

 As per the latest notification, citizens can report incidents via: Emergency Helpline (112); mobile or WhatsApp at 8798881978 & 8798881979; email: PCRillegalcollection@gmail.com, with police assuring confidentiality for complainants.

Whether the consistent decline in reported cases reflected the impact of such sustained measures or a change in reporting dynamics, remains a matter of interpretation.