The Centre has asked states to strictly enforce laws related to dowry deaths. Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram said the dowry deaths are blot on the society and strong action has to be taken against those who kill young brides.<br/><br/>He however said that states have been advised to exercise their discretion without bias to arrest those who appear to be directly involved with the dowry deaths.<br/><br/>The Home Minister also said that the appalling number of dowry deaths and their conviction shows that there are small number of cases where the laws on dowry death have been misused. Giving figures of the dowry deaths since 2006, Mr. Chidambaram said that such deaths are on increase.<br/><br/>More than 81 hundred cases were registered for dowry deaths and over 58 hundred were convicted in 2008.