‘Government is sensitive to crimes on women’

At a time when concerns are being expressed over the release of the juvenile convict in the December 16 gangrape case, home minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the government is sensitive to the problem of crimes against women and children and has strengthened legal and institutional infrastructure to deal with the menace. Mr Singh said the Criminal Law (Amen-dment) Act has been a landmark legislation which enhanced the punishment for various crimes against women.

The home minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Quasquicentennial Ground on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Delhi Bar Association .

The home minister said a nationwide emergency response system having “112” as the emergency number will soon be operationalised.

Mr Singh said the NERS can be dialled from anywhere in the country by anyone to seek police assistance. He said that timely and hassle-free registration of crime is equally important and the home ministry is going to provide the facility to the people through citizen portal.

“This will create a facility for people to report a crime and also track the follow-up action taken by the appropriate agencies,” he said.

Mr Singh further said a decision has been taken to assist the states to set up dedicated investigative units to tackle crimes against women in about 564 districts in the country. These units will be specialised in nature having 1/3rd women investigators and will be funded by the Centre and states on a 50:50 sharing basis.

“The police officers and medical officers can also be prosecuted if found wanting in discharging their responsibilities in specific cases against women,” he said.

Stressing the need for rehabilitation of acid attack victims, Singh said a Central Victim Compensation Fund has been set up to support the states, under which acid attack victims will be given additional compensation up to Rs 5 lakh for treatment. e said the Home Ministry is working in partnership with the insurance companies and Health Ministry to develop a cashless treatment scheme for victims of acid attacks.

Pointing out that a large number of women and children are victims of human trafficking, Singh said an in-principle decision has been taken to set up an organised crime investigating agency for which inter-ministerial consultations have been initiated.

The Home Ministry, in close coordination with the state governments, has also taken up two specific campaigns ‘Operation Smile’ during January 2015 and ‘Operation Muskan’ during July 2015 to rescue missing children and reunite them with their parents. Both the campaign resulted in rescue of more than 28,000 missing children. All the states have been requested to take up ‘Operation Smile-II’ during January 2016.

The Home Minister also assured security for the lawyers saying the government will take all necessary action for the safety and security of the lawyers.