KARACHI: Founder Madadgaar National Helpline Zia Ahmed Awan said on Thursday that number of women and children burnt alive is increasing because of improper law enforcing mechanism.While addressing a press conference at Madadgaar National Helpline office, he said 216 women were burnt alive in 2012. He said that this data is just a tip of the iceberg, but in reality the actual number of cases are very high due to which the lives of common people have become miserable.
He also highlighted two recent cases. The first case is of Ruqaiya, 27, resident of Nusrat Bhutto Colony, who was married off at a very early age with a jobless drug addict. Because of marital and financial disputes, her husband tortured and abused her. On April 6, 2013, her husband hatched a conspiracy and threw acid on her wife, mother-in-law along with three children. As a result, 22 percent of RuqaiyaÂ’s body is burnt and she is under medical treatment. The offender is still free and continuously threatening the victim.
He said in the second case, Gyan Chand Meghwar, 14, a minor resident of Khanpur Mehar, was burnt alive. The victim’s father Basru, contacted Madadgaar Helpline about his son’s brutal killing. Speaking on the occasion, Basru shared that he has been involved in the investigation against Krishan Kumar, the offender, who was involved in the crime due to enmity and revenge. The offender’s sons kidnapped and killed Gyan Chand by burning him alive. Basru said: “The primary offender Krishan Kumar and his three sons are in police custody, however, one of the sons escaped. We request to take strict action against the offenders.”
Zia Awan condemned the tragedy and appealed to the government to take serious action against the culprits. He also requested the government to provide legal aid, medical care and compensation. Furthermore, he asked for the justice system to be made viable and offenders arrested, as unsatisfactory legal action against offenders has been a significant reason for an increase in burn cases.