RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: Women activists, victims, students and intellectual sections of the society feel that the police department can play a vital role to make this city a better and safer place for the eves.In the backdrop of Delhi's bus gang rape, city-based women activists too have started demanding justice and measures to curb atrocities on them. They feel that the police should walk that extra mile to ensure that women do not become easy prey to those men out to victimize them. Talking to TOI, the opinion makers voiced their concern about shortcomings which afflict policing. These include lack of proper protection to witnesses. They suggested means to make it a potent wing of the society to bring culprits to book.Former assistant commissioner of police Madhuri Godse said police should either conduct a seminar or urge any non-governmental organization (NGO) to do it for them where knowledge should be imparted about what a woman is be expected to do in the world outside for protection.Godse said police should visit schools and colleges to dispense awareness about safety and security and also ask the NCC to incorporate more girl students. "Police should prepare teachers and professors so that they can help, guide and support a girl student," she said. Godse urged senior officials to ensure that there is a vast media exposure to women helpline numbers like 1091 for citizens to know that such facilities exist in the department and help can be provided when needed.

Former district government pleader P K Sathianathan said nothing can replace measures of basic policing like proper patrolling, quick response especially when the distress caller is a woman and thorough investigations of cases related to atrocities on the fairer sex. "The police department has to inculcate the culture of treating a woman complainant with sensitivity," he said and added that it is important that victims and witnesses of their cases are provided protection. "There is a need for witness protection programme as in other advanced countries. Otherwise, the rate of conviction would remain abysmally low. Woman police officers and personnel should give protection to women victims and witnesses," said Sathianathan.

Social worker Dr Ranjana Pardhi, chairperson of the child welfare committee, said politicians should stop interfering in police work and should start ignoring pressures. "Police are not able to enforce the Supreme Court order of taking action against vehicles with tinted glasses. The Delhi gang rape took place in a vehicle having dark glasses," she said.

Social and political worker Nutan Rewatkar, also chief of NCP women's wing in city, had initiated a campaign for an all-woman police station which can receive, register and investigate cases pertaining to atrocities on them. She had also met home minister R R Patil who assured to take steps on the issue.

A rape victim from Pachpaoli said police should not treat a woman complainant with distrust or disrespect. "Increase more women police force and let them handle women-related problems. This would make a woman feel confident to walk into the police station," she said.

Student Jasmeet Kaur said police should enforce law in its true spirit.

Archana Dangore, who owns a boutique, said railway police too need to be alert and visible as several women passengers fall prey to lechers in trains who target them. "If the railway police do not wake up to our calls then they would be responsible if the next victim ravaged is aboard the train," she said.

City police chief K K Pathak had said cases related to women are being viewed seriously and no casual approach is allowed even in the matters of eve teasing. The cops are also set to deploy women personnel in vehicles at 25 places along with men counterparts.