A day after The New Indian Express conducted a reality check on the safety of women commuters in the city, Home Minister R Ashok, accompanied by top police officials, visited the Majestic bus stand around 10 pm on Monday.
Ashok first visited the Kempegowda Bus Station (BMTC bus stand) which had only a small number of commuters. Then he went to the KSRTC bus stand, where most of the women, travelling alone to other places of the state, explained him their experiences on government buses. Ashok said, “I came to check the reality and I get feedback about what safety measures we are taking, particularly after the Delhi incident. Most of the passengers told me that they feel safe on KSRTC and BMTC buses. They complained about private busses on which they feel insecure. I have instructed the police officials to take strict action against the people who commit crimes against women.”
Mrudhula, a college student who was waiting at the bus stand, told Ashok that she was scared to enter the underpass connecting the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands. Immediately, Ashok told the police officials, “See what a young girl says about the security arrangements here.”
A helpline had been set up and a nodal officer had been appointed to take complaints about crimes against women, he added.