BIRENDRANAGAR, June 23: The Karnali State in the past nine months reported 116 cases of rape which is nearly a double compared to the incidences occurred in the corresponding period last year.

According to Karnali State Police Office, 59 cases of rape occurred in the State last year.

State Police Chief and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mahesh Bikram Shah, informed that rape cases made up the largest chunk of the figure of violence against women.

In the previous two fiscal years, this number was 68 and 67 respectively.

Girls are the victims in most cases. Besides, the cases of polygamy and child marriage have been reported in a significant number in the State.

Bearing this alarming situation in mind, public awareness programmes against women violence and drugs abuse are on the offing under the peace and security campaign of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Law. The programmes will cover 79 local levels of ten districts in the State.