The running battle between the Government and the Delhi Police over the safety of women in the city refuses to end. It started in December last year, with the gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit went ballistic with demands to oust the Police Commissioner and then petitioned the Centre for control of the police.In the latest move, a six-member committee under chairmanship of Chief Secretary DM Spolia has been constituted to review violence against women. Delhi Deputy Secretary (Home) BK Tiwari had written to the police headquarters about the committee.
It will consist Secretaries of health, transport, law and home, the director of education and Special Commissioner of Police (law & Order). Orders from the Home Department were issued on directions of the chief secretary. Spolia will examine recommendations to improve condition of women in the city.
According to a senior official, the high-powered committee will also review progress in implementation of recommendations made by different women groups, social scientists, legal luminaries and law & order experts. "The purpose of the committee is to review the progress," stated the order signed by Tiwari on behalf of the Chief Secretary.The Delhi Government had opened a helpline, 181, for women in distress after the December 16 gang-rape. The helpline deals with complaints from victims of all types of violence and works as a bridge between the Government and Delhi Police for bringing justice to weaker sections of society.
"Delhi Police has left no stone unturned in providing safety and security to women. Several steps have been initiated in the aftermath of the December 16 gang-rape.Efforts have shown positive results and officers have been asked to be vigilant. We will provide the feedback to this new committee too," said a Delhi Police officer.