Appoint Volunteers in Police Stations: NCW Chief
BENGALURU: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has proposed that the Union Home Ministry appoint volunteers as liaison officers in police stations to help women complainants.
This model has been implemented in three police stations in New Delhi and following its success, the commission has written to the ministry to take it up under the Nirbhaya Fund.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, NCW chairperson Lalita Kumaramangalam said, “The Maharashtra government has also decided to implement it. I request all the state governments to take this up.”
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences had helped train the volunteers in Delhi. There is a need for orientation for police officers at the lower level, which is the first barrier women have to face in police stations. NCW is discussing with the Home Ministry how to conduct the programme, she said.
On the increasing incidents of crime against children in schools, she said, “It seems schools are shrugging off their responsibility in ensuring safety. We are not sending our children to schools to be abused; schools must understand they have a responsibility.” She said she met city Police Commissioner N S Megharikh and inquired whether the schools are held responsible for such incidents.
Chargesheet Soon
On the rape case filed by singer Premalatha Diwakar against the pontiff of Ramachandrapura Mutt, she said, “This is the third time NCW is in the city regarding the case. Though the complaint was filed by the victim 11 months ago, no chargesheet has been filed yet. Following this delay, I visited the city.... I met the victim, the investigating officers, senior police officers and the Law Minister. They said that there is no pressure on them through any means and have assured that the chargesheet will be filed in a couple of days.”