UP tops in crimes against women, says panel

In the last three months, Uttar Pradesh has topped the list of states from where maximum numbers of complaints of harassment/ crime against women have been received by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

In the last three months, Uttar Pradesh has topped the list of states from where maximum numbers of complaints of harassment/ crime against women have been received by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

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Of the 2,889 complaints that NCW has received since August 2011, as many as 2,853 were from UP. The commission has received 526 complaints from Delhi, 372 from Rajasthan, 217 from Haryana and 139 from Madhya Pradesh.

A majority (1119) of these complaints were of police apathy where victims failed to get their complaints registered. The other cases were of domestic violence/ matrimonial dispute, property disputes, rape cases and complaints by in-laws.

"We have written to the respective state governments for taking necessary action to address the issue. But we have not got a very encouraging response," NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma said.

To ensure that women victims do not face harassment while getting their complaints registered, NCW has now firmed up a proposal to start a dedicated toll-free call centre where women can call up to lodge their complaints.

"The call centre will ensure that victims, who do not get a hearing in their states, do not have to come to the NCW headquarters to lodge complaints," said Sharma. The call centre will be set up within the next three months on a pilot basis.