Session on ‘crime against women’ held in Jowai

JOWAI: The Political Science Department, Thomas Jones Synod College in collaboration with West Jaintia Hills Police organized a brainstorming session on ‘crime against women’ in the college campus on Thursday.
Speaking at the function, WJH SP, said, it is good to see women working in various government departments, however, it does not mean that women are free from various kinds of atrocities and violence. He pointed out at present women are brave enough to come forward to file complaints against those involved in crimes against them.
The Shillong Times editor, Patricia Mukhim informed that as per RTI report, there were 103 cases of crimes against women in the state between 2002 and 2013. These are cases of molestations, rapes and sexual abuses.
Out of the 103 cases, 22 cases were committed by minor against minor, she informed adding that only 30 cases were disposed of and the rest are lying pending and the accused are absconding.
She further informed that in West Khasi Hills, the Fast Track Court has 10 cases out of which seven cases have been disposed of and the culprits have been punished.
“It is very important to understand that men should respect women.
There should be gender equality in the society, so that no such crimes against women and minors take place in the future”, Mukhim said. A government school teacher, Waisa Sumer added that since 2012, there are 18 cases reported to the office of the District Social Welfare Officer which is either related to domestic workers or attrocities committed by husbands.