Sharp rise in crime against women in Assam

Assam of late has witnessed a rising trend in crime against women basically 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 the Assam police, total 5,189 cases of atrocities on women by their in-laws were registered in the state during 2010 compared to the 2,206 such cases registered with police in 2005.

Police registered total 2,003 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 1,217 cases of rape were registered with Assam police in 2005 and the figure increased 1,721 in 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 was 1,456 in 2005 and 2,486 in 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 stricter in enforcing law provisions meant for protection of women rights and prevention of crime against women.

A Guwahati-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, and also increasing stress in daily life.

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