As the women’s commission continues to be without a chairperson, Srinagar’s lone women police station has registered a surge in cases of crimes against women.
The State Commission for Protection of Women and ChildRights, previously known as State Women’s Commission, and Women Police Stationat Rambagh, Srinagar, are the two designated institutions meant for hearing thecases pertaining to women.
But at present, all cases related to violation of the rightsof women, particularly the cases pertaining to domestic abuse, are beingreceived by women’s police station, thus making it over-burdened.
“Every day we receive over 20 cases and since last yearthere has been a steep rise in the cases,” said a women cop at the policestation.
Compared to 33 cases in 2017, 46 cases of domestic violencehave been registered by the station in 2018.
“We only register those cases in which an FIR is filed. Wereceive hundreds of cases, but we try to first counsel the couple, but if theystill feel like living separately, we register the case,” said a constable whomanages the data in the police station.
“If we register every case that we hear on a daily basis thenumber would in thousands. But we try to counsel the couples. So the number isless,” she said.
This year, in just four months, 19 cases of domestic abusehave been registered by the women’s police station.
Days after the collapse of the PDP-BJP government in Junelast year, head of the commission stepped down from the chair. Twelve monthslater, the replacement has not been found.
As reported by this newspaper, over 200 cases are pending inthe commission for approval.
The commission also has no office and operates under aChinar tree in the lawns of the Old Assembly Complex here.
The office space for employees of SPWCR has been handed overto the newly constituted State Law Commission.
An official associated with the commission said that theyhad been successful in saving a lot of marriages.
As reported by Greater Kashmir, women’s commission hasreceived 3,141 cases of torture and harassment against women during the past 18years.
The commission, as per the amended Act, has the power toinvestigate, examine and review all matters relating to the safeguards providedfor women and children under the constitution and laws for the time being inforce for their protection. It can also recommend measures for their effectiveimplementation.
The commission has been provided with the powers of a civilcourt and is required to submit an annual report to the state government andalso a special report when an issue needs immediate attention.