Akangjungla
According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crime against women rose by 15.3% in 2021 from the previous year, with 4,28,278 cases registered last year following 3,71,503 cases in 2020. The NCRB report shows that the rate of crime against women (number of incidents per 1 lakh population) has increased from 56.5% in 2020 to 64.5% in 2021.
As per the NCRB’s Crime in India 2021, the data of crime against women under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) increased from 39 in 2020 to 54 in 2021, indicating an increase of 38.46% in Nagaland. The charge sheeting rate of crimes was also 80.4% in Nagaland against the national average of 77.1%. However, the rate of crime against women in Nagaland at 5.1% was lowest in India when postulated against the Mid-Year Projected Population in 2021. Nagaland stood out with the lowest number of crimes against women registered in the past three years- 2019, 2020 and 2021. It also had the lowest crime rate against women for 2021.
Nagaland is considered as one of the safest states in India for women with a low crime rate against women; however, the popular opinion is that the data is not necessarily a reflection of the ground reality. Every year, Nagaland joins the annual international campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It commences on November 25 which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and culminates on December 10, the Human Rights Day. During this period, the law keepers and state stakeholders reassure the women of Nagaland that there are constitutional and legal provisions available to combat the threat of violence against women and ensures justice to all who are wronged.
The commemoration recaps the legal provisions in the Indian Penal Code and CrPC (Amendment Act) 2013 which enshrine preventive and punitive actions to safeguard the rights of women and girls. These laws are further bolstered by other laws like, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, (Prevention of) Immoral Traffic in Women’s and Girl Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place 2013, POCSO Act 2012, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 and the IT Act 2000.
The police chief of Nagaland had admitted that despite the best efforts of law enforcing agencies, violence against women and girls continue to remain a widespread persistent human rights violation. It was informed during an event held in the state capital, Kohima on November 25, 2021 that as per data available with Nagaland Police, since 2018 to 2020 registered 249 cases of violence (crime) against women leading to arrest of 19 persons, rescue of 26 women and girl from human trafficking and rescue of 18 sex workers.
The most popular approach of combating crime against women has been empowering them with the knowledge of the legal provisions and implementing laws; however, the approach seems to be failing as the data indicates increasing rate of crime against women. Though the State and the stakeholders should be obligated and accountable to implement women’s rights and safety, in practice, it calls for a collective action. Home (family) and local communities should take part and play their role to create a safe and enabling environment for everyone, irrespective of the gender to advance their life with honour and respect. Unless there is a reflective shift in the way the issue is understood and addressed, Nagaland might soon lose its ranking as ‘one of the safest states.’
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