From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: There has been an upward trend in crime against women in Assam of late due to increase in incidents related to dowry demand, rape and other various other forms of atrocities.
As per records available with the crime against women cell of Assam police, total 5189 cases of atrocities on women at the in laws were registered in the state during the year 2010 compared to the 2206 such cases registered with police in the year 2005. Police registered total 2003 such cases in the state till May end, 2011. Most of these cases are related to dowry demands by the husband or the in laws.
Total 1217 cases of rape were registered with Assam police in the year 2005 and the figure increased 1721 in the year 2010. Police registered 649 rape cases till May end, 2011 in the state at the rate of five cases per day.
The state has witnessed a sharp rise in cases of abduction of girls and woman during 2005-2010. The number of registered cases were 1456 in the year 2005 and 2486 in the year 2010.
“There was a time when dowry demand was unheard of in the state of Assam where bridegrooms used to gift expensive jewelry and silk dresses to the bride during the marriage. The latest trend of dowry demand that has struck roots in our society could be attributed to the degeneration of traditional values, loss of respect to women folk who used to be held in high esteem in our social life,” said Asomi Gogoi, chairperson of Assam Mohila Sangha.
She further said that the law enforcing agencies should be more strict in enforcing law provisions meant for protection of women rights and prevention of crime against women. A city-based psychiatrist commented that some of reasons behind the rising crime graph against women might be rising trend of drugs and alcohol abuse in the society, increasing stress in daily life.
