ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The gender crime cell (GCC) working under the supervision of the National Police Bureau registered 289 complaints in 2006 and provided relief to the affected women, an official said on Monday.

The cases were related to domestic violence, vani, child marriage, murder, rape, gang-rape, karo-kari, honour killing, kidnapping, harassment, illegal confinement and burn injuries.

He said 27 complaints were against police over refusal to register FIR.

The GCC took necessary action, ensuring registration of FIR, arrest of the accused and medico-legal examination besides arranging personal security to the victims, he said.

According to the official, the cell dealt with 47 rape complaints, 28 vani/swara cases, 33 gang-rape complaints, 27 karo-kari and murder cases, 28 kidnapping incidents, 30 domestic violence incidents and 37 other cases.

The cell was established in April 2006 as part of the government’s efforts to protect rights of women and provide them relief in cases of abuse and violence.

The cases were taken up by the cell in response to complaints received through different NGOs, ministries of women development and interior as well as on the basis of media reports and applications submitted by the victims.

The cases were reported to the cell from different parts of the country, he said, adding the cell was also compiling comprehensive data on violence against women for the benefit policy-makers.—APP