Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said that atrocities against women have increased by 20.8 percent in the last five years of Jaganmohan Reddy’s regime. Answering questions on atrocities against women and children in the Legislative Council , the Home Minister criticized the Jagan government for not paying attention to cases of rape against women.
Moreover, she deplored that cases were filed against them during the YSRCP regime, who went for consultation. Referring to big claims about the Disha Act by the previous regime, she wondered whether that law actually existed? If the Disha App and the law work, why have atrocities against women increased?, she asked.
Anitha said that the existing Nirbhaya Act was abandoned and the non-existent Disha Act was brought. However, she made it clear that those who misbehaved with women are being arrested during the coalition government. She explained that it took time to identify the girl in the Muchumarri incident.
Anitha revealed that during the coalition government, the police were catching criminals within 24 to 48 hours. ‘In the last five years, the police have worked to erect fences, cut trees, and guard the roads. Have they saved a single woman?’, she asked.
She alleged that Disha police stations were set up without the legality of the Disha Act. Disha police station was opened in Rajahmundry. But, on the same day, a Dalit woman was gang-raped and left in front of the police station. If it is true that crimes have decreased with the Disha app, why are crimes increasing in the records?, she asked.
Anitha said that the Center sanctioned funds during the YSRCP regime to build a forensic lab in Amaravati. If it had been completed, she felt that there would have been a chance to punish the crimes immediately after they were committed.
Anitha explained that 83,202 cases were registered in Andhra Pradesh between 2014 and 2019 and 1,00,508 cases were registered between 2019-24. She said that atrocities against women have increased by 20.8 percent in the past five years.
She was angry that even though many atrocities took place during Jagan’s tenure, there was no minimum action. Anita objected that Jagan has not even reviewed the regulation of ganja in the state.
‘The coalition government has given priority to women’s safety. We are ensuring that the accused are punished quickly with special courts. The coalition government will take action even if injustice is done to Jagan’s mother and sister. We will take strict action even if women come forward or speak indecent words on social media’, she said.
“We are taking preventive measures by setting up women’s police stations and help desks. We have arrested the accused within 24 hours in five months and sent them to remand. We will set up strict laws and special courts to prevent atrocities against women,’ Anita added.
