Bhubaneswar: Incidents of sexual assault on women are on the rise in recent times when the state government’s efforts to curb such crimes appear inadequate.
Three reported rape incidents in the city within three weeks have shaken the public faith on the existing law and order mechanism. The rape and murder of a 45-year-old woman in Dhenkanal June 13 has shattered the state. Another horrific act also occurred within three days in Jharsuguda district wherein a 47-year-old widow was gangraped by miscreants.
A woman was raped in the Capital city June 19.
The incidents have shown a rise in the rape cases in the temple city in the last five years. According to the Commissionerate Police, rape cases registered in Bhubaneswar limits have gone up to 77 in 2016 from 56 in 2012. The registered rape cases in 2015 stood at 2252 in the state.
According to researchers, the nature of the civilized society is increasingly becoming criminal.
“When we visited Dhenkanal in the wake of the rape and murder of a woman, we were shocked to learn that instead of denouncing the crime the locals were supporting the accused and said the victim deserved punishment as she raised her voice against the perpetrators,” said a social activist.
‘‘Those who indulged in rape did not have any respect for the humanity. Extreme hatred towards a particular gender is at the root of the crime. Society wants women to follow rules and if they don’t do they become victims of hatred,” said social activist Namrata Chaddha.
Speaking on legalisation of prostitution in the country, Chaddha said, “Indian society is not ready for the legislation of child rights. Such attitude will obviously increase child prostitution. There are many children without birth certificate in remote areas. Traffickers easily force them into prostitution by identifying them as majors (above 18).”
A senior police official, on the condition of anonymity, said “Rapes happen here for revenge as in the case of Dhenkanal. Relatives have raped and murdered the woman to take revenge. The society should change its attitude towards rape victims. It should be treated as an accident and the victim should have been respected in the society.”
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