GUWAHATI, Feb 18 - As many as 316 dowry-related killings of women were reported in the State in the last two years.
In the same period, 2,185 cases of dowry-related violence against women were also registered in various police stations across the State, the State Legislative Assembly was informed today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
Barpeta registered the highest number of cases � 22 deaths in 2017 and 25 last year. The district also saw 670 cases registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, during the two years. Nine dowry-related killings were reported in the city in 2017 and five last year. The districts of South Salmara, Cachar, Lakhimpur, Kamrup and Sonitpur recorded majority of the cases.
The minister informed that to monitor and supervise investigation of the cases of violence against women, a State-level women cell was formed in 2018 under a Special Superintendent of Police of CID.
Family counselling centres are being set up at police stations to deal with the cases. OCs of police stations have been directed to hold awareness meetings to prevent such incidents from happening.. Trainings are also being provided to police personnel to deal with such incidents, he said, adding that a women helpline number 181 is functional round the clock.
He also informed that 45 NGOs have been selected as service providers to assist the district social welfare officers.
