There has been more than a two-fold increase in rape and dowry cases in Assam during last six years, according to data compiled and tabled before the Assam Assembly by the state home department.
Dowry cases have increased almost three fold from 1307 cases in 2001 to 3063 cases in 2007. The number of registered cases till May this year was 990.
The rape cases almost doubled from 785 registered cases in 2001 to 1131 cases in 2007. The figure available till May this year is 505. Total 7504 incidents of rape were reported from different parts of the state during 2001-2007
Assam's Cabinet Minister Rockybul Hussain said a total of 29,731 incidents of various types of crimes against the fair sex were registered in the state between 2001 and 2007.
Similarly, cases of molestation were on rise from 850 in 2001 to 970 in 2007. Total molestation cases registered during 2001 to 2007 were 6380. In addition, 429 molestation cases were registered in the state during January to May this year.
As many as 914 women were murdered from 2001 to 2007 with 2004 registering the highest number of 137 cases. There were 85 more cases of murder that were recorded during January to May this year.
The government maintains that the rise in number of registered cases of crime against women was a reflection of government's efforts to make women aware about the need to register cases against their tormentors.
The government informed the legislators about various steps it had taken so far to tackle the growing incidents of crime against women including setting up of all-woman police stations in different parts of the state and various other measures.