Nevertheless, the total crime against women and girls covering molestation, cruelty by husbands and relatives decreased in 2012 compared to 2011 and 2010, home minister Roshan Warjri informed the assembly on Wednesday, while replying to a cut motion moved by opposition legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit.
"The total number of rape cases registered during 2012 up to March 31, 2013 was 179, out of which 118 cases involved victims below 18," the minister revealed. She said the East Khasi Hills recorded the highest number of rapes with 62 cases followed by Ri-Bhoi (32) and West Khasi Hills (22).
"East Jaintia Hills reported 17 cases closely followed by West Jaintia Hills (16) and South West Khasi Hills (8). South Garo Hills reported eight cases followed by West Garo Hills with six," the minister said. The lowest number of rape cases registered was in South West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills with three each in the two districts followed by North Garo Hills with two, the minister said. He added that chargesheets have been filed in 52 cases so far.
The home minister said East Garo Hills topped the molestation chart with 38 cases, followed by West Garo Hills (23), West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi with eight each, South Garo Hills with 2 and South West Garo Hills with one case. West Jaintia Hills reported six cases of molestation, while the lowest cases were registered in East Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills with two each and one in East Jaintia Hills. Stating that no case of molestation was reported from North Garo Hills, Warjri said chargesheets were filed in 47 cases in the state.
She said just one case of dowry was registered in East Khasi Hills.
Warjri said East Khasi Hills recorded the the highest rate of cruelty by husbands and relatives with 15 cases, followed by West Garo Hills with eight cases. There were two such cases in Ri-Bhoi and one each in West Khasi Hills and North Garo Hills, the minister said, adding that chargesheets were filed in two cases.
East Khasi Hills registered six cases of immoral trafficking followed by East Jaintia Hills with two cases, Warjri said, adding that chargesheets have been filed in two such cases so far.
Crimes against women have become a "matter of serious concern" and as such the state government has taken several steps to combat the evil, the minister told the house. "Instructions have been given to all district superintendents of police for effective investigation of cases relating to crimes against women and to review all pending cases of rape," she said.