ASSAM: OPPOSITION SEEKS ORDINANCE TO DETER CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

The Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has reiterated his concern over the unabated incidents of crimes against women in the state and urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to immediately promulgate an Ordinance with provisions for stringent punishment for crimes against women.

In a press release, Saikia said that following a debate during the Budget Session of the House which had seen the Assam Congress Legislature Party move an Adjournment Motion to discuss crimes against women and the gang-rape in Batadraba in particular, the Chief Minister had promised to enact a stringent law in the next Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly to combat crimes against women. However, that step would entail a delay of several months whereas the uncontrolled spree of rapes and murders of women across the state necessitated immediate deterrent action, the Opposition leader pointed out.

Saikia further suggested that since the judiciary is already overburdened with various cases, the Chief Minister should urgently establish at least six or seven special Fast Track Courts in the state to deal with crimes against women. He said that these courts should be given wide-ranging territorial jurisdiction till such time as similar courts are set up in all districts of the state.