Helpline for women in the works

Activists also assured of women's cells at police stations after meeting top cop

Women's rights activists discussed safety and security issues with Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh yesterday. The meeting at the commissioner's office was held in light of the rise in crimes against women of late, the most shocking of which were three cases of rape in various parts of the city and a twin murder in Karve Nagar.

The meeting was attended by 90 members of NGOs working in the field of women's issues. The activists put forward their demands, which included a separate helpline for women, revival of the Dakshata Samiti at the police station level and sensitisation of the police machinery so that a woman approaching a police station to lodge a complaint is treated properly.

"We have reassured the NGO members that the helpline for women will be active in a matter of days. A women's cell will be created initially at 20 police stations for immediate complaint redressal at station level," Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare (Crime) said. "The cell will consist of a PI or API and three-four women police officials."

Ten members of the Stri Mukti Andolan Smapark Saamiti, a forum of progressive secular women's organisations, were present at the meeting. Medha Thatte, Sandhya Phadake of Shramik Mahila Sanghatana, Prasanan Invalli, Lata P M from NCAS, Alka Pavangadkar from Stree Mukti Sanghatana, Alka Joshi from Abhivaykti Group of Lokayat, Kranti Agnihotri of Nari Samata Manch and Sanyogita Dhamdhere from CSAR were some of the members present.

Later, Kiran Moghe of Janavadi Mahila Sanghatana said, "We demanded that the chowky system should be revived to make it possible for women in distress to lodge a police complaint without going far. We put forward our demand that a complaint redressal cell for women should be made active and the police should be sensitised towards the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Every non-cognisable offense should be registered at the police station without forcing the lady to compromise with her in-laws."

Archana More of Masum said, "After the Karve Nagar twin murder case, the police have asked all senior citizens to inform the nearest police station so that the police can remain alert for the safety and security of seniors in the area."