PESHAWAR, Jan 31: A total of 1,593 murder cases were recorded in the year 2004, up by 41 per cent over the figure for 2003, said the annual press release of the Mrasta Help line on Monday , citing domestic and monetary disputes as the main reason for most of these killings.

According to the Mrasta Help line, a project of the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid, the year also witnessed an increase in human rights violations in the NWFP.

In all, 2,167 persons were killed in 2004 - 1845 males, 258 females and 64 children. The data compiled by the help line said that murder was the most committed crime in comparison with other offences like kidnapping, domestic violence, robbery, honour killing, child abuse and suicide.

Besides, 1,194 accidents took place last year in the province in which 2,080 people were killed. In many cases, the injured died in hospitals due to non-availability of medical care, the press release said.

A significant number of women and children were subjected to violence, abuse and rape and the rate of such crimes was on the rise as, the help line pointed out, the authorities concerned had failed to take effective measures to punish the accused.

A total of 245 cases of kidnapping were recorded in which 195 males, 75 females and 48 children were abducted. Kidnapped children are usually used for forced labour, ransom, or to seek revenge, according to the data.

In rural areas, it is a practice among the poor to give their children to landlords for money or land. Four cases of child abuse were recorded and 13 cases of gang rape occurred, victimising 13 females and three children.

The incidents of violence against women occurred also due to disputes over dowry or other family-related matters. Most of the victims were burnt but only three burn cases were recorded. No action was taken against the suspects.

Forty-four cases of domestic violence were recorded, victimising seven males, 39 females and four children. About 182 cases of suicide were recorded and the reason behind many such cases was mental depression, resulting from unemployment, tension, family disputes and financial problems.

The government, said the Mrasta, criticised honour killing but failed to take action against the accused. Thirteen cases of honour killing were reported in 2004, involving 16 males and 27 females.