To stop crime against women :: Time to think over new strategies
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: June 28 2012 -

To talk of crime and violence against women in Manipur, in real sense of the term, may have sounded anachronistic around a decade or two back. That's why it used to make banner headlines on newspapers.

But in recent times, rapes, harassment, torture, ill-treatment of women have become almost a daily occurrence that one may even find difficulty in locating the reports of such cases in some corners of the newspapers.

What does this speak of the sensibility of the people in the state in general and the media in particular towards the rising graph of crime against women in society?

Loss of lives of as many as eight women in Manipur within a span of six months in different incidents of crime and violence is a serious issue that should have awakens the conscience of the people.

Apart from these incidents, there may also other numerous other unreported cases where the victims did not dare to speak up or lodge complaint with the police fearing social ostracism.

We need to find out factors responsible for fueling crime against women in this land of Meira Paibis and two Nupi Lans, and find out effective ways and means to tackle the problem with the seriousness it deserves.

With social mores slowing losing its grip over the people in the wake of westernization, today the problems faced by Manipuri women have also become manifold and more complex with each passing day, and this calls for a special action plan, if we really intend, to stop violence against women.

Of course, various new legislations have been brought and amendments made in the existing laws with a view to handle crime against women effectively.

In addition to various Sections under Indian Penal Code (IPC) like 376 which deals with rape cases , 363-373 which deals with cases of kidnapping & abduction for specified purposes, 302/304-B, which deals with cases of Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempts, 498-A which is related to cases of torture-both mental and physical, 354 which deals with molestation cases, 509 which deals with cases of sexual harassment and 366-B IPC which is related to importation of girls upto 21 years of age, there are also special and local laws to deal with cases of crime against women.

Although all these laws are not gender specific, the provisions of law affecting women significantly have been reviewed periodically and amendments carried out to keep pace with the emerging requirements from time to time.

However, contrary to seeing any minimization, crime against women has been rising not just in Manipur but also in other parts of the country.

That is why we bat for a special action plan that takes care of gender issue and management to eliminate crime against women. For ensuring gender management, proper education of both male and female members in the society should be given top priority right from early stage.

It's time for the state government and its departments concerned to wake up and do the needful before the rising graph of crime against women takes a turn for the worst.