Anyone can dial women’s crime helpdesk’s number - 1090 for quick action in cases of crime against women. Women’s Crime Branch will ensure swift action. This was stated by Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta at the inauguration of new building of Women’s Crime Helpdesk here on Monday.
The Home Minister also appealed to all concerned organisations to help bring awareness for preventing crimes against women. He said that State Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure women’s honour and dignity. Gupta informed that women’s crime helpdesk’s number 1090 was started following a rape incident in New Delhi in December 2012. It has yielded encouraging results. He informed that challans in cases of crimes against women are being presented within 15 days.
Gupta said that it was necessary to instill fear of strict punishment among criminals and directed to inform girl students about helpline system. The Home Minister said that dialogue with public was very important and added that if there was good relation people would not hesitate to visit police stations. Gupta said that a number of schemes like Beti Bachao Abhiyan have been launched to ensure women’s honour and dignity in the state. DGP Nandan Dube said that Women’s Crime Branch is functioning with efficiency.
Additional DGP Women’s Crime Branch Smt. Aruna Mohan Rao informed that nine fast track courts have been set up in the state by the High Court. As a result, 806 cases against women were heard last year in which punishment was given in over 1500 cases till June 30, 2013. Of these, death sentences in nine cases, life imprisonment in 151 cases, over 10-year imprisonment in 221 cases and 10-year imprisonment was awarded in 1127 cases.
Rao informed that till date 7,414 complaints have been received by women’s helpdesk number 1090 started from January 1, 2013. Of these, 7,366 complaints were redressed and 317 cases were registered. These complaints were regarding missing persons, dowry harassment, abduction, rape, eve-teasing, intimidation on mobile phone etc. There are 12 lines for incoming and 8 for outgoing calls at women’s helpdesk. The service operates 24X7. For this, an ASP has been appointed nodal officer in every district. Principal Secretary Planning and Statistics SR Mohanty and Addl DG Pawan Jain also spoke on the occasion.