MANGALDAI, March 31 - A public rally was organised here today in protest against the growing incidents of crime against women in the State in recent times.
Around 100 citizens comprising members of several local women�s organisations, student bodies and NGOs, including Bhebarghat Mahila Mancha, Mangaldai Mahila Kalyan Samaj, Mangaldai Girls� College Students� Union, Saraswati Mahila Samabai Samiti of Hirapara, Crystal Vision etc took out a rally from Bhebarghat Public Bus Stand premises through the main streets of Mangaldai town by shouting slogans and displaying placards to generate awareness on crimes against women and demanded capital punishment for criminals convicted in rape cases.
The rally was followed by a public meeting at the Bishnu Mandir premises where several social activists and student leaders, including Rashmi Rekha Sarma of Mahila Kalyan Samaj, Sekhar Mazumdar , Jagyasmita Goswami of Mangaldai Girls� College Students� Union, among others, discussed issues leading to occurrence of crimes against women and cautions to be taken to check such crimes in future.
The protesters subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Darrang in support of their charter of demands, which included setting up of a fast track court in Mangaldai for speedy trial of such cases, introduction of one-stop centre scheme called �Sakhi� for needy women victims, arrangements for making the new Women Police Station in Mangaldai operational and filling up vacancy of the regular District Social Welfare Officer-cum- District Protection Officer officially responsible for looking into such issues.
Earlier on Tuesday, a meeting of the Darrang District Women�s Cell presided over by the Chairperson of the cell and Additional Deputy Commissioner held at the Deputy Commissioner�s office expressed serious concern over the rising graph in regard to crimes against women in the district over the last few years.
The district recorded1,046 cases in 2015 with subsequent increase every year.The figure in 2016 stood at 1,286, with an increase of 240 cases . In 2017, the figure was 1,422, and during the current year till February, the figure reached 174.
The meeting was attended, among others by Sipajhar Circle Officer Manali Jain, Mangaldai Election Officer Antara Gogoi, Additional Superintendent of Police, Darrang Satyajit Nath, Sub-Divisional Medical and Health Officer Dr Nirmal Kumar Beriya, lawyer Premeswar Sarma, representatives from District Child Protection Office, women activists, social entrepreneur and journalist Mayukh Goswami discussed different issues relating to check crime against women, including effect of smart phones, drive against anti-social elements, contraband drugs, forming village- level action groups, pragmatic timebound plans for mass awareness, among others.
Our Kokrajhar Correspondent adds: A meeting discussed issues relating to women and children in the context of the prevailing situation in the conference hall of the DC�s office today.
The meeting was chaired by Niranjan Baruah, Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar. The meeting stressed on the importance of generating awareness among the public as to how rise in crimes against children, girls and women could be stopped in the society.
In his speech, the DC expressed his concern over the growing incidents of crimes like molestation, rape, kidnapping etc. against women across the State. He assured of holding awareness meetings at the village level involving Gaonburhas, NGOs, members of different social organisations and concerned Government departments.
Attending the meeting, Kokrajhar SP Rajen Singh shared information about the State Government�s decision to set up special women�s cells in every police station and fast-track courts to ensure speedy trial of cases relating to crimes against women in every district headquarter of the State.
He also informed about the order issued to the OCs of all police stations in Kokrajhar district to take strict action in cases of crimes against women and to initiate speedy investigation.
In this regard, he requested all the members present to provide such information first to the local police or any district official so that action can be taken promptly.
The meeting was also attended by Additional SP KK Gupta, Circle Officers of Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon, Bhawraguri, Bagribari, senior citizens Dr Mangalsing Hazowary, PC Jha, leaders of Kokrajhar district BSU, ABMSU, BSS, GSS, MYM and AABYSF.