By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Srinagar: Noted academicians, members of civil society, journalists and research scholars came together at a sit in protest in the back drop of growing cases of violence against women in parts of Kashmir.
The sit in protest was organised by Ehsaas, an NGO fighting for rights of women, at the Partap Park here on Monday.
Play card used in the protest (Credit: Ehsaas NGO)
In recent weeks, Kashmir has seen a surge in cases of domestic violence against women. Recently, a women was set ablaze by her husband who later succumbed to her burn injuries in a local hospital.
According to Crime Branch statistics regarding Violence against Women for the year 2013, a grim picture of women’s safety emerges with as many as 378 rape cases registered in 2013. This corresponds to almost seven rapes a week and is an increase of 75 cases from the total of preceding year. Then, there were 428 registered cases of cruelty by husband and as many as 1,389 cases of molestation were reported by women in 2013.
The corresponding data for year 2014 is still being complied by the Crime branch.
Ezabir Ali, consultant, Women’s Project, and secretary Ehsaas asserted to sensitize the society about the growing menace of domestic violence. “It is high time to speak out against this barbaric form of human nature and a send message to the government to act strictly against such acts.” Said Ali.
Noted academician, Neerja Mattoo termed the surge as very unfortunate and impressed upon Kashmiris to support the victims of violence in whatever ways they can.
Dr Altaf Hussain, a civil society member, while speaking on the occasion said: “There has been an increasing trend in violence against women and domestic violence in particular. The cases seem to be on the rise due to insensitivity on the part of the government and agencies concerned,” said Altaf.
The protestors alleged that State Human Rights Commission and Women’s Commissions are defunct and headless, as such they have failed to do justice to the cases of the victims of violence.
“We want the government to re-constitute these Commissions and make them functional,” demanded the protestors.
Play card used in the protest (Credit: Ehsaas NGO)
Ghazala Amin, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) member, while interacting with media persons impressed upon speedy investigation by police in matters related to domestic violence.
“There should be establishment of fast-track courts for speedy disposal of the violence related cases. Else, ‘justice delayed is justice denied’,” said Amin.
The civil society members alleged that male staff is deputed to register complaints of violence against women in the lone women police station, which makes women reluctant to complain in a hassle free environment.
“We want the government to depute only female staff in these special police stations,” they added.