SHILLONG:Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has expressed concern over lack of respect of men in uniform towards the Commission.
”We sent a letter to the Army authorities explaining the conduct of their personnel towards their wives and asking them to appear before the Commission,” MSCW chairperson Susanna Marak said.
Ms Marak, however, said the response of the Army was inappropriate.
”We as a statutory body at least expect the Army to have respect for us,” Ms Marak said.
She also said such carelessness was not only on part of the Army, but also the para-military forces and the state police.
Ms Marak also informed that even some of the state government departments did not respect the verdict of the Commission.
”Recently, we wrote to a state government department asking maintenance from one of their employee, but the department replied that it does not recognise the Commission and the case should be settled in proper court.
According to the Commission, between March 2010 to February 2011, they received 90 complaints relating to divorce and maintenance, 11 harassment cases, 11 rape cases, 11 murder cases, 24 cases of domestic violence, six cases of physical assaults, nine cases attempt to rape, one case of sexual harassment, four cases of molestation and two cases of ostracisation and others.
The MSCW has also called for amendment of the act so that the Commission can prosecute the offenders on their own. (PTI)