Jolted by muliple rape cases in under a month, Delhi Police chalks out plan to ensure women’s safety

Delhi L-G Taranjit Sandhu held a meeting Wednesday with Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Joint Commissioners (Law and Order) where the decisions were taken.

Representational image | ANI

New Delhi: From doubling the number of female staffers on patrol to heightened surveillance in isolated spots and parks, the top brass of Delhi Police have chalked out a to-do list on women’s safety. At least 13 cases of alleged rape and sexual assault have been reported across the National Capital Region this month.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu held a meeting Wednesday with Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Joint Commissioners (Law and Order) where these decisions were taken.

“We have decided to move female officers from more desk-related roles to patrolling and field duties,” said an officer aware of the matter. The move comes immmediately after a 17-year-old was sexually assaulted by three men in front of her male friend at Aastha Kunj Park, which falls under Amar Colony police station.

The officer told ThePrint that the district officers have been directed to identify all dark and isolated spots and increase visibility there. “We have approved a plan of increasing group and motorcycle patrolling in these dark spots in each district,” said the officer. In addition, the police has also decided to prioritise cordon and search operations in all these sites as a preventive measure.

“At present there are 15 all-women PCR vans. We have decided to double that number to ensure better safety,” said the officer.

The police has also directed both Delhi Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of Delhi to install properly functioning surveillance cameras and security guards at every entry and exit gate. “We have also instructed these bodies to secure the entire perimeter of these parks, ensure timely pruning of foliage,” said the officer.

Taking cognisance of all the reports of the presence of drug addicts in these isolated locations, the Delhi Police has instructed its district units to comb these area. “We have decided to intensify the ant-drugs drive in these areas and take strict actions against drinking in public places,” he added.

Further, the officer told ThePrint that the Delhi Police also discussed with the L-G the possibility of treating the juveniles accused of sexual assault as adults. “We have discussed the possibility of treating minors accused of sexual assault as adults and ensure early prosecution,” said the officer.

(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)