Bhopal, Feb 23 (IANS): The heartland of India Madhya Pradesh is unsafe for women -- figures of rapes and deaths of women in the state during the last three years presented in the state assembly by Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta reveal an alarming picture.

The minister, in a written reply to legislator Praduman Singh Tomar during the ongoing assembly session, informed that 9,926 women have been raped in the state during the last three years till January 2012. Besides, 1,961 women were killed during this period -- 86 in state capital Bhopal alone.

Last year, the maximum 3,381 women were rape victims -- for an average of 10 per day. In 2010, the figure was 3,220 and 3,071 in 2009.

Bhopal reported 404 rapes during the last three years.

Social activists expressed concern at the alarming story the figures told. "The worst is that the conviction rate in rape cases is very low. And the women who register complaints get tortured in every possible way by the society and administration," social activist Madhuri told IANS.

She added: "Steps are neither being taken socially nor at administrative level to make women feel secure. 'Beti Bachao' has become just a slogan, while women continue to feel insecure in the state."

Agreed Supriya Sharma, a pharmacy student. "Eve teasing is common here. On three occasions, I saved myself from situations in which men tried to grope me or take me with themselves. I never feel secure while moving in the city," the 21-year-old told IANS.