Srinagar: Srinagar’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dr Haseeb Mughal on Monday claimed that stress, joblessness and forced isolation following restrictions imposed in the aftermath of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted into steep rise in violence against women in Kashmir.
Talking to reporters on the occasion of International Women’s Day, SSP Srinagar said the administration also mulls to set up more women police stations in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley so that the issues confronting the womenfolk on domestic and professional level are dealt with seriously.
Dr Mughal said the Valley has witnessed steep rise in crime against women as loss of income and redundancy in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions put adverse impact on the mental health of the people.
“Yes the valley has witnessed steep rise in domestic violence because idleness and loss of income put adverse impact on the mental health of the people due to lockdown. We frequently receive complaints from women in this regard,” the SSP said.
He also said that police has launched a women-centric drive “drive for the safety of women” to deal with the issues women often face at public places and in public transport.
Dr Mughal said the aim of this drive is to convey a strong message that crime against women cannot be tolerated, and those found involved in any activity like eve-teasing, female harassment at public places and in public transport, will be dealt with iron hands.
“On International Women’s Day, problems our women face on domestic or professional level are discussed world-over and their achievements are highlighted. We have launched a drive to send clear message that whosoever is found involved in crime against women will be dealt with iron hands,” he added.
He also said that Srinagar police has launched a helpdesk and women counseling centre at Women’s Police Station, Rambagh, which he said is the only police station dealing with issues women face.
