Women Cells ‘overburdened’ as Domestic Violence cases on rise

Jammu: With domestic violence cases taking driver’s seat in different parts of Jammu Division, the women cells functional 24x7 are ‘overburdened’ while dealing and counseling the complainants.
Sources in the Police Department here told ‘The News Now’ that the Women Cell of Jammu is overstressed with number of complaints being registered on an average are higher as compared to rest of the Police Stations (Women Cell) dealing with domestic violence matters in others parts of the region.
“Presently, we have only five Women Cells in Jammu region and in view of rising cases of domestic violence, they are not sufficient to cater the rush of complaints and successfully dealing them,” sources said.
In total there are 11 Women Police Stations (5 each in J&K UT, One in Ladakh UT), they said and added, “in Jammu Division, the Jammu South City based Women Cell is dealing the maximum cases not only of its jurisdiction but also from other districts.”
Besides, Jammu, in the Province, Women Cell, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua and Doda are also functional but the numbers of complaints are higher in Jammu followed by Kathua, Udhampur and Rajouri.
Moreover, in Kashmir Zone, Women Cells are in Rambagh, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Kupwara and one in Leh district of Ladakh UT.
“The number of women cells keeping the rising number of cases in minds are not sufficient to meet the rush,” said sources adding that the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department is planning to come up with more women cells, (one in each district of J&K UT) but the proposal is yet to see a ray of light.
Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh last year after inaugurating Women Police Station in district Kathua had also said that Jammu Kashmir Police is always committed and on the forefront to protect women and child rights.
He had also said that two new upcoming women battalions will surely be helping in handling crime against women.
“The strength of Women Police in the Jammu Kashmir Police is getting bigger and the recruitment process is already underway wherein nearly 2000 women will be joining two new women battalions which will definitely help in handling domestic and other crimes against women,” said Singh.
A senior police official wishing not to be quoted said, “this year, despite Corona pandemic, the cases of domestic violence have shown an upward graph as compared to the corresponding months of 2019.”
“The data is being complied but as per reports, the figure has swelled,” sources said.
In 2019, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed increase in number of cases of domestic violence as 1700 complaints were lodged in year here at Jammu based Women Cell.
In the year 2018, as many as 1665 complaints were lodged.
“On an average, 10 to 12 complaints are received on daily basis and most of them are settled on the spot but those, which are of serious nature, FIRs are registered and then it is upto the Court to settle the dispute,” sources added.
They alleged that social media has become a major reason for domestic violence in view of the rising number of “extra marital” affairs.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have also come up with a “women helpline” wherein the victims can register their complaints.
Moreover, in May this year, in compliance to the directions of the Division Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court headed by the Chief Justice, Justice Gita Mittal for evolving proper mechanism to provide payment of maintenance to the domestic Violence victims during lockdown, District Legal Services Authority, Jammu, established various Helpline numbers to facilitate those in distress.
“The helpline numbers can be approached any time by any Women, elders, Senior Citizens, Children for providing them legal aid/assistance, counselling on domestic Violence,” the DLSA informed.
In Jammu and Kashmir the women police wing was established in 1965 with a staff of one Sub Inspector, 2 ASIs, 3 HCs, 27 Constables.
Their duties included assistance to investigating staff in arrests, searches and interrogation of women offenders and suspects.
They were also used against women demonstrations and mob. Their other important duty was the screening of women passengers at Jammu and Srinagar airport.
The strength of women police in the state have increased manifold and some of the women officers of the state have been directly recruited as DySsP through Kashmir Administrative Services.


Updated On 9/17/2020 10:41:58 AM