Guwahati, May 29 NNN : Assam is the second state in India after Punjab that has the highest record of crime against the fairer sex.
According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Assam’s record of crime against women is alarming. The NHRC therefore, asked the government of Assam to do something in this connection.
“The government of Assam should do some ‘serious introspection’ so that the crime against women is reduced,” stated the NHRC.
NHRC member Justice GP Mathur said in Guwahati today, “This is as per data received from National Crime Records Bureau.” He stated this after the NHRC ended its two-day camp sitting to decide 50 pending cases related to rights violations in Assam. The NHRC team was headed by its chairperson Justice KG Balakrishnan.
Justice Mathur did not explain the nature of the crimes but underscored dowry and witch-hunting as the main reasons why Assam was getting a bad name. “Maternal and infant mortality rates are equally high in the state,” Justice Mathur said, adding Assam’s sex ratio was similar to Punjab.
“There is clearly a problem that Assam needs to address. Some introspection needs to be done,” he said. “A large number of complaints about crime against women were received last year. The problem can be addressed through education and awareness.”
Justice Balakrishnan said the Commission primarily discussed domestic violence, marital discord and trafficking (of women and children) in its camp sitting. “Assam is seriously affected by trafficking,” he said.
“The Commission has pointed out that custodial deaths and encounter killings need to be informed within 48 hours. Almost all states are complying with our recommendations,” Justice Balakhrishnan said.
It can bev noted that out of 50 cases, 17 were heard by NHRC’s full bench. At least six cases were closed after the panel received satisfactory answers from government authorities. In the other cases, NHRC gave time to the authorities to respond to its recommendations. It recommended about Rs 35lakh as compensation in different cases of human rights violations.
On Wednesday, the team will hold a day-long sitting in the Meghalaya capital Shillong.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/assam-high-on-crime-against-women/
