Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 30: Though the successive governments over the years maintained that the number of steps had been taken to curb crime against women, the latest figures show an increase in the cases of crime against women in the last two years.
According to a report, the total number of cases of violence increased from 2,929 in 2016 to 3,363 in 2017-18.The official figures show that most of the cases have been registered in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. In summer capital, 298 cases were recorded in 2016 while the number increased to 417 in 2017.
In Jammu, there were 373 cases of violence against women registered in 2017. In the districts of Baramulla, Budgam and Anantnag, 703 cases of violence against women were recorded in 2017.
In total, 2,119 cases of violence against women were recorded in Kashmir and 1,244 in Jammu last year.
Sources said that there has been an increase in the rape, abduction and molestation cases in the state, creating a cause for concern among the civil society members and women. In 2017, the state recorded 314 rape cases while the number was 262 in 2016.
Similarly, there was an increase in the number of abduction cases from 775 in 2016 to 960 in 2017. The cases of molestation have also increased from 1,233 in 2016 to 1,422 in 2017.
The region is also battling with the cases of domestic violence and marital disputes. There were 129 dowry deaths in 2017. The number of suicides recorded was 144 in 2016 and 153 in 2017. The registered cases of cruelty by husband and in-laws were 375 in 2017, which were 342 in 2016.
Sources said that number of violence cases had also increased because women hesitate to come forward.
"There is a psychological and emotional turmoil that the women are facing due to the conflict which is not being highlighted. There are cases that are not reported due to the stigma attached to it. There is a need to address them to strengthen the institutions that deal with it. Everyone should come forward and the media should highlight it," said one of the social activists.
One of the top officials of the government told early times that stringent provisions in the form of section 326- B RPC have been incorporated in J&K Ranbir Panel code (RPC) by virtue of which harash punishments have been incorporated in the laws which may extent to life imprisonment. "Six (6) women police stations have been established in the state for dealing the cases exclusively related to crime aganist women. Further (5) women police stations have sanctioned for the districts of Doda, Kathua, Pulwama, Kupwara, and Leh," the official said. |
