By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Even as demands are getting stronger for stricter punishments for the criminals of rape and such violence against women and children, a report of national Crime Report Bureau (NCRB) has revealed a horrible figure of crime in Assam.
According to a report on rape committed against children in Assam, it is said that against 36 rapes committed in 2011, the number has gone up to 328 in 2012. In the overall scenario of rape, the number is 40 cases against 333 in 2012.
The crime committed against the girls between the age group of 10-14 years is 9 in 2011 while the number is 151 in 2012. Among the age group of 14-18 years during the same period it is 27 and 177.
In a more bizarre revelation, the report said that 2 per cents of the total crime was committed by their own relatives while 15 per cent were their neighbours during the year 2012.
In this regard, Runumi Gogoi, chairperson of Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) said that this is a serious issue and it will be discussed thoroughly during the two-day state level consultation programme to be held in Guwahati.
While, the activists and common people feel that besides the government, civil society and media has also a role to play in this regard.
“Yes, the government has failed to protect to some extent but we have to look beyond that. Even the civil society and media have also a role to play. Media has to be more careful to publish or telecast such type of news. The civil society people have to create an environment so that women and children can feel safe,” said activist and author Maini Mahanta. Besides, Assam is also one of the top states as far as crime against women is concern.