Rape tops list of cases of crimes committed against women in State
SHILLONG: Meghalaya, despite being predominantly inhabited by tribal communities who follow the matrilineal system, has been witness to rise in crimes against the fairer sex over the years.
As per the data presented available with the Superintendent of Police in charge State Crime Records Bureau, D.N. Jyrwa there is an increase in the number of crimes committed against women.
Jyrwa presented these data at the interactive session held among the stakeholders including police, the NGOs, faith-based organizations and traditional institutions at the office of the Meghalaya State Women Commission (MSCW) here on Wednesday.
According to Jyrwa, a total of 242 cases of crime against women have been registered till July this year.
He said that the total number of cases registered in 2013 was 342 while in 2012, the number was 255. In 2011, the number of cases which was registered was 269.
“The data shows that there is no sign of decline in the rate of crimes committed against women,” the SP said.
Jyrwa informed that rape cases tops the list as compared to other types of crimes committed against women adding that the number of rape cases is increasing every year.
The SP informed that the rape cases registered in 2011 was 130 adding that in 2012, the number was 164.
Informing that the number of rape cases registered in 2013 was 183, Jyrwa said that the number of cases registered till July this year is 75.
“Noticing that the number of cases registered till July this year is quite less than the previous years, we expect a decline in the number this year,” Jyrwa said.
In as far as molestation cases are concerned, the figures are lopsided. While the cases registered in 2011 was 74, the number dropped to 43 in 2013 and climbed up again to 98 in 2013. Cases registered till July 2014 was 67.
Presenting the data on kidnapping cases registered in the state from 2011 till July 2014, Jyrwa said that the situation is not that alarming.
In 2011, cases registered was 37, in 2012, it was 24 while in 2013, the number climbed to 33. Cases registered in 2014 till July was 8.
Furthermore, the cases registered for Immoral Trafficking in 2011 was 2, in 2012, it was 7, 2013, it was 4 and in 2014 (July) two cases were registered.
Presenting the data relating to the disposal of these cases by the police, Jyrwa said that in 2011, over 217 cases were disposed, 178 were disposed in 2012 and 337 in 2013.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya State Women Commission has presented data relating to the maintenance cases stating in 2014 (from Jan till date), the commission has received over 88 cases of which 16 were disposed till September, 28 were referred to the concerned authority like the police, 15 are pending and 6 cases are still stuck due to the inability of the aggrieved person to be present for the hearing.
On the actions taken by the police in this regard, Jyrwa said that the police are working in tandem the other stakeholders while stressing on the sensitivity of this issues.
“We have also moved the government for the creation of a separate women’s cell in the newly-created districts of the state,” he said adding that at present, there are 7 women cell operating in seven districts.
He also mentioned that the government has identified four districts to set up the Human Trafficking Unit, that is, in Ri Bhoi, Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills and East Khasi Hills. At present, two units-in Shillong and Tura are operational while setting up of the same is under process in Jowai.
Besides this, the SP of SCRB said the department is constantly conducting awareness not only for the school and college students but also for their own personnel. Other than this, the department is also working on methods to verify job placement agencies owing to the increase of a number of fake companies involved in duping the young people of the state.
Meanwhile, the social welfare department has informed that the department is planning to set up a one-step-crisis centre in Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong which will act as a support system for immediate relief to the aggrieved persons.
The other stakeholders who attended included the North East Network (NEN), the faith based organizations besides others.