Crimes against women
SHILLONG: National Commission for Women (NCW) member Shamina Safiq has reiterated that crimes against women should be investigated in a time-bound manner. She said that she would impress upon Home Minister Roshan Warjri about this.
Safiq, who is here on a three-day visit, was addressing newspersons on Monday.
The NCW member rued the fact that there has been undue delay in the investigation of crimes against women.
“The State Government must ensure proper enforcement of law and convictions in women related crimes. Enforcement agencies should be instructed in unambiguous terms that enforcement of the rights of the weaker and vulnerable sections including women and children should not be compromised at any cost,” Safiq stated.
The NCW member also said that the district administration and police should play a more proactive role in detection and investigation of crimes against women and ensure that there is no under reporting.
She was also of the view that sensitivity on the part of the police to deal with cases of crime against women will also depend on the number of women police personnel in the force.
“Everyone will agree that women personnel will be more pro-active in dealing with crimes against women,” Safiq said.
The NCW member also feels that the representation of women in police at all levels should be increased through affirmative action so that they constitute about 33% of the police force.
She also exhorted the State Government to take concrete steps to increase awareness in the administration and police regarding crimes against women, and to take steps not only to tackle such crimes but also deal sensitively with the ensuing trauma.
Safiq also impressed that there is a need to create and provide adequate counseling centres for women who have been victimized, adding that mass awareness should be created on the effectiveness of schemes created for the welfare and rehabilitation of women who are victimized, with greater emphasis on income generation to make the women more independent and self-reliant.
She also said that the State Legal Service Authority (SLSA) needs to be questioned since they are responsible for providing the necessary compensation to rape victims.
“Sadly they are not doing their job as mandated,” the NCW member said.
Meanwhile, she also expressed concern that women have also been affected due to the problems of militancy in the State.
“We have taken cognizance of the murder of Josbina M Sangma. The Commission has been following up the case with the State Government very closely,” Safiq said.
Safiq also informed that the Commission has proposed the setting up of the Forensic Science Laboratory unit under the Nirbhaya Trust Fund.