The government on Tuesday admitted that there has been an increase in cases of violence against women during 2017, even as it asserted that 3,957 persons were arrested during the year (up to November) in such incidents.
A written reply by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to a query raised by MLA Anjum Fazili during the question hour in the legislative assembly, read that 4714 cases of crime against women were registered during 2017.
“3957 persons were arrested, 3883 challaned while trail is going on against 28225 persons accused in different cases,” the reply reads.
The cases which are under trial include 2850 cases of kidnapping and abduction of women, 5399 cases of molestation, 1157 cases of eve-teasing and 1277 cases of cruelty by husband or relatives.
“136 persons were convicted during the year, 52 released by the police, 51 are in custody or out on bail, and 2559 persons were acquitted,” the reply further reads.
The chief minister said that round-the-clock patrolling is being conducted at “vulnerable” places particularly near schools, colleges and universities to “maintain vigil over miscreants and eve-teasers.”
J&K is contemplating to rollout national emergency response system which will be useful for women in distress, for which common emergency number 112 will be set up to provide 24×7 services, the reply reads.
“Also, women employees’ grievance cell under the charge of commissioner/secretary social welfare has been set up in the civil secretariat to look into the complaints relating to sexual harassment of the female employees posted in civil secretariat,” it reads.