Guwahati, May 29 NNN : Assam is the second state in India after Punjab that has the highest record of crime against the fairer sex.
\nAccording to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Assam\u2019s record of crime against women is alarming. The NHRC therefore, asked the government of Assam to do something in this connection.
\n\u201cThe government of Assam should do some \u2018serious introspection\u2019 so that the crime against women is reduced,\u201d stated the NHRC.
\nNHRC member Justice GP Mathur said in Guwahati today, \u201cThis is as per data received from National Crime Records Bureau.\u201d He stated this after the NHRC ended its two-day camp sitting to decide 50 pending cases related to rights violations in Assam. The NHRC team was headed by its chairperson Justice KG Balakrishnan.
\nJustice Mathur did not explain the nature of the crimes but underscored dowry and witch-hunting as the main reasons why Assam was getting a bad name. \u201cMaternal and infant mortality rates are equally high in the state,\u201d Justice Mathur said, adding Assam\u2019s sex ratio was similar to Punjab.
\n \u201cThere is clearly a problem that Assam needs to address. Some introspection needs to be done,\u201d he said. \u201cA large number of complaints about crime against women were received last year. The problem can be addressed through education and awareness.\u201d
\nJustice Balakrishnan said the Commission primarily discussed domestic violence, marital discord and trafficking (of women and children) in its camp sitting. \u201cAssam is seriously affected by trafficking,\u201d he said.
\n \u201cThe Commission has pointed out that custodial deaths and encounter killings need to be informed within 48 hours. Almost all states are complying with our recommendations,\u201d Justice Balakhrishnan said.
\n It can bev noted that out of 50 cases, 17 were heard by NHRC\u2019s full bench. At least six cases were closed after the panel received satisfactory answers from government authorities. In the other cases, NHRC gave time to the authorities to respond to its recommendations. It recommended about Rs 35lakh as compensation in different cases of human rights violations.
\nOn Wednesday, the team will hold a day-long sitting in the Meghalaya capital Shillong.<\/p>\n\n