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Guwahati, Sept. 20: A task force constituted by the Assam government has recommended a women’s cell in every police station and a fast-track court in each district to expedite investigation and trial of cases involving crimes against women.
The task force, headed by additional director-general of police (CID) Mukesh Sahay, was formed to study the pattern of crimes committed against women in Assam and suggest appropriate measures to reduce such crimes. The group submitted its report to chief minister Tarun Gogoi last evening and also gave a presentation.
“We have recommended a women’s cell in every police station, a fast-track court to try women-related crimes in each district, an anti-human trafficking unit for every district and setting up of a crisis intervention centre for victims, among others,” Sahay told The Telegraph today.
Assam reported the highest rate of crime against women at 89.5 per cent last year, compared to the national average of 41.7 per cent.
The chief minister asked the departments concerned to take necessary steps for speedy implementation of the recommendations put forward by the task force. Gogoi also directed the home and political department to prepare a roadmap for prevention and control of crimes against women within a month. Gogoi emphasised the need to improve coordination among different government departments for prevention and control of crimes against women. He also dwelt on the need for speedy investigation and expeditious trials of cases to create a strong deterrent.
Sahay said a crisis intervention centre was required to offer medical help, counselling, legal aid, trauma management and look after the relief and rehabilitation of victims. “We feel such a centre shall ideally be managed by a non-governmental organisation having experience and expertise in this field,” he added.
The task force has recommended sensitisation of judges, public prosecutors and policemen and to create public awareness about crimes against women. “We have also suggested the use of latest technologies such as closed-circuit television cameras, mobile phone surveillance and GPS-aided monitoring to curb such crimes,” Sahay said.
Sahay said the transport department would also take up steps for sensitisation of the crew on long-distance buses to prevent crimes such as trafficking of women.
The police office said discussions were held to make the victim compensation scheme of the government under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) more efficient.
Director-general of Assam police J.N. Choudhury and state home secretary G.D. Tripathi, along with officers from social welfare, education, transport, health, panchayat and rural development departments, were present at the meeting.