The number of crime cases against women reported in Guntur Urban Police District is increasing.
But what makes it interesting is that increasing numbers are a reflection of changing times where more number of women are feeling emboldened to file a complaint.
Most cases are registered under section 498 (A) IPC. Though the contentious section had attracted considerable attention, the police continue to stick to their point that most cases are genuine.
The number of cases registered under section 498 (A) IPC (harassment) has gone up from 211 cases in 2009 to 395 cases in 2011.
A staggering number of 362 cases were recorded until the end of August in 2012.
“We are receiving a number of complaints from women married to NRI men that the latter are forsaking them after a few years of married life. The cases are being referred to Women’s Police Station,’’ Superintendent of Police, Guntur Urban, Ake Ravikrishna told The Hindu on Monday.
Harassment cases
Though cases relating to dowry deaths are few, the harassment cases have seen a steep rise over the last three years.
The total number of crime cases against women shot up from 341 in 2009 to 680 in 2011.
On the other hand, a steady increase in number of cases relating to outraging modesty under section 354 Indian Penal Code have also been causing concern to the Urban Police.
It was against this backdrop that the Urban Police have decided to launch women protection beat system with an intention of reducing crimes relating to chain snatching and eve teasing during pre-dawn hours.
Mr. Ravikrishna, who launched an exclusive beat for women at Pattabhipuram Police Station, said it would work under Central Crime Station at Pattabhipuram. Led by CCS Inspector, the new beat would have constable trained to keep a vigil and act immediately on those attacking women.
“We are concentrating on residential areas in Pattabhipuram, Krishna Nagar, and Syamala Nagar for now and would expand to the fringe areas of the city too,’’ Mr. Ravikrishna said.
