Shimla, July 27: The brutal gangrape and murder of a 16- year-old student in Shimla district’s Kotkhai tehsil has pointed fingers at the increasing rate in crimes against women in Himachal Pradesh. Figures sourced from police records reveal that there has been a gradual increase in crimes against women in the last five years. In 2012, a total of 183 rape cases were registered in the state. By 2014, it increased to 284, but fell to 244 in 2016. This year, so far 104 rape cases have been registered.
Similarly, cases related to molestation have also seen an upward trend. In 2012, there were 248 molestation cases registered in the state. By 2014, this clocked to 519 and fell to 405 in 2016. The figure for this year stands at 191 cases so far. However, on the other hand, there has been a general decline in the case of eve teasing. In 2012, there were 63 cases of eve teasing. This increased to 76 in 2014 but fell down to 50 in 2016. The figure for 2017 stands at 27 cases.
Speaking to HT about the increase in the number of registered cases related to crimes against women, director general of police (DGP), Somesh Goyal said this increase is a reflection that the women are getting more aware and are coming forward to file these cases.
“The rising trend that you see can be attributed to more and more women coming out and reporting these crimes. It also shows the willingness of the police to freely register crimes. We have established eight women police stations in the state at Shimla, Mandi, Dharamshala, Baddi, Kullu, Sirmour, Una and Bilaspur. More such police stations will be set up in other districts shortly,” the DGP said.
He added that police have also set up anti human trafficking units in Shimla, Kangra, Sirmour and Kullu.
However, social activists differ from the DGP’s interpretation of the increasing trend.
Falma Chauhan, vice-president of All India Democratic Youth Federation, said, “Crimes against women have increased in the recent past due to an overall deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The police does not have the required manpower to keep crimes under control. The government must act at the earliest.”
Source Hindustan Times
