Consultative meet discusses crime against women
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 04 2011:
As a part of the forthnight observance on crime against women, a consultative meeting was held today at Hotel Classic under the aegis of the Women Action for Development (WAD) .
The consultative meeting was held on the topic "Crime against women with special focus on rape and its remedy" .
Speaking at the meeting, retired Additional DGP Romen Ahanthem demanded that the Government should set up a special investigation team to check crimes against women and its functions should be monitored by High Court.
He observed that the State machinery designed to check crimes against women is too weak.
In the absence of any effective machinery, all the laws remain toothless.
The proposed special investigation team would enable police to register FIRs, conduct investigation and file charge-sheets for trial.
Ultimately, the accused can be punished accordance in to the crimes they committed, Romen stated.
Quoting a Supreme Court directive, Romen said that a rapist can be punished under IPC Section 376 even without any evidence if the testimonials given by the victim is trustworthy and reasonable.
WAD secretary Sobita Mangshatabam said that the meeting was organised to deliberate on the increasing crime rates together with NGOs, media, law enforcing agencies and Forensic Department.
Dr Supriya of Forensic Department observed people generally went to local clubs and Meira Paibi organisations when there is a rape case.
Rather than going to local clubs or Meira Paibis, one should go to the nearest police station and collect all available evidence as early as possible.
All rape victims should be given proper counselling so that they can over the trauma and other symptoms.
Evidence should collected after obtaining permission from the rape victim and the victim should undergo medical examination.
If any woman has been raped, she should go the nearest police station immediately.
She should not change or wash clothes nor should she take bath.
Medical officers conducting medical examination on rape victims should collect and preserve hair, blood stains, semen, saliva and fibres found on the body of the rape victim, elaborated Dr Supriya.