Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 27: Even as the gang rape of a college student at the foot of Chamundi hill Mysuru gave rise to all-round indignation, a chilling information has come out as far as Karnataka is concerned. From January 2019 and May 2021, 1,168 rape cases have been reported from the limits of police stations in the state. On an average, a rape per day is happening and gang rapes have numbered 22.

During the said period, 18 women are raped and murdered. The crime graph against women has been showing an upward trend from this year onward.

After Nirbhaya was killed in Delhi in a barbarian manner, people had erupted in protest, and demanded stern laws to tame the rapists. People also expected passage of some new laws to punish the rapists. However, during the last two years, the number of inhuman sexual harassment and rape against the women have shown a rising tendency.

Women safety guidelines are in place but cases continue to happen all over Karnataka. The women continue to become victims of sexual crimes. In the year 2019, 10,227 cases were filed relating to torture, kidnap, dowry etc. In 2020 the numbers went up to 10,761. During this year, till May 2021, 4,401 cases have been reported.

After he coronavirus lockdown, the cases of thefts and robberies have gone down but sexual harassment of women is on the rise. During the period of the pandemic and lockdown, the state witnessed about 400 rape cases.

President of Karnataka State Women's Commission, Pramila Naidu, rejects the notion that this is a reflection on the poor law and order situation in the state. She says that the police are functioning well. She said she will write to the home minister urging him to increase police patrolling and increase the number of CCTV cameras all over the state.