Shillong, Mar 14 (IANS): The Meghalaya government Thursday said it would soon set up fast-track courts in the state to deal with heinous crimes, including crimes against women.

"One of the major priorities of our government as far as tackling crime against women is concerned, is to establish fast-track courts in all the district headquarters of the state," Home Minister Roshan Warjri told IANS.

Warjri, the first woman to hold the crucial home portfolio in Meghalaya, stressed the need to set up fast-track court to ensure speedy delivery of justice to victims of heinous crimes.

"We will also ensure that the police carry out its investigation so that the prosecution can take place," she said.

The ruling Congress party, which retained power after emerging as the single largest party in last month's assembly polls, had promised in its party manifesto that it would set up fast-track courts if voted to power.

In Meghalaya, a tribal state traditionally known for its matrilineal society and the respect accorded to women, has seen cases of rape and molestation rise in the recent past. Government statistics reveal that in 2012, there were 236 reported crimes against women; 158 of these were rape cases.

Warjri, who was earlier the chairperson of Meghalaya state women's commission, promised to strengthen the existing women police stations, which are present in the district headquarters, besides establishing more such police stations in other areas of the state.