LAHORE: Taking notice of rising incidents of human rights abuse and violence against women in south Punjab, police have established a ‘human rights cell’ and a ‘women desk’ in Vehari district.

The measure has been taken in the wake of an incident in Multan wherein a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped on the order of a “local jirga” some 20 days back.

Vehari District Police Officer Umer Saeed told Dawn that south Punjab had a feudal social structure where women’s were treated according to their socioeconomic status, caste and cultural norms.

He said a detailed study of some extreme cases, including Mishal murder case in Mardan, lynching of two brothers in Sialkot by a mob, Qandeel Baloch honor killing and recent incident of a girl’s rape on the orders of a panchyat in Multan prompted police to take some practical steps to check such crimes.

According to some reports, jirga system has been prevailing in southern Punjab, particularly in Multan, Dera Gazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions where human rights violations and crime against women, including forced marriages, rape, acid attack and honour killing are rife.

In some incidents artists, especially those performing on stage were also subjected to violence.

“The new initiatives - human rights cell and women desk - would solely address such issues and if proved successful, these facilities would be replicated, first at all police stations of the district and then in the entire province”, the DPO said.

About the human rights cell, Mr Saeed said, initially it would work under the DPO’s supervision and comprise trained police officers of inspector and sub-inspector ranks.

He said members of Vehari Chamber of Commerce and Industries would also be a part of the cell.

“It is a joint venture of police as well as the local chamber of commerce and industry and on receiving any complaint, police would act along with the members of the chamber,” he said.

He said following a joint initial inquiry, the cell would propose action against the suspects, referring the case to the investigation officials.

The DPO said the cell would also house a separate investigation wing headed by an inspector to proceed the case to bring the culprits to the book for provision of speedy justice.

He made it clear that the cell had been fully authorised to take action against those committing violations of human rights.

He said the cell would also deal cases of police torture, violence against minorities, child abuse, illegal detention, child labour, and issues related to transgender community and disabled persons.

About the Women Desk, Mr Saeed said, it would be run jointly by women from various professions, comprising a senior lady police official, a lawyer, a local councillor and a parliamentarian.

He said the members of the desk would probe the incidents of violence against women, including acid throwing, forced marriages, honor killing harassment, domestic violence, gang rape, vani and inherited property matters.

“The purpose of these facilities was to uphold the dignity of people, especially the women, as mentioned in article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” the DPO concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2017