In a historic legislation, the Arunachal Government today sounded out a warning through the passing of the Criminal Laws (Arunachal Pradesh) Amendment Bill, that any form of violence against women & children shall be dealt with an iron hand in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh has became the fourth state in the country after Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana to bring in amendments in the Criminal Law to provide capital punishment (death penalty) to those convicted of raping girls under 12 years.

This Act assumes huge significance as the month of February saw several heinous crimes committed against minors as young as six years of age. The rape and murder of a little girl at Tezu was followed by rape of two more minors at Yingkiong and Daporijo.

Of late children have become soft targets for depraved minds and the manner in which the minor victim at Tezu was killed brings a sense of foreboding about the safety of society’s youngest members.

Arunachal has witnessed gruesome acts towards children. Over the past several years there has been disturbingly repeat occurrence of minor students being physically and sexually abused also worrisome that many of these have occurred in safe zones such as schools and homes.

Rape laws have been nowhere as stringent in comparison to the trauma and scarring it leave on victims. If one would recall school children in the past have fallen prey to their teachers and others of the school fraternity but the justice delivery system is such a sluggish one and renders justice meaningless.

How long can society be helpless spectators.  The alarming rise in crime against women clearly indicates that strong legislation is the need of the hour. We as a society do not want another candle light vigil for an innocent soul. 

This bill passed by the Arunachal government is much needed to send out a strong message to criminal minds and to ensure the safety of women especially our young children. 

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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