Shobha Demands Separate Wings in All Urban Police Stations to Help Women

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 2: Karnataka’s Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, the lone woman minister in the Jagadish Shettar-led BJP ministry, has taken the unusual step of writing to the Chief Minister demanding urgent steps for establishing separate wings in all police stations in urban areas to help women file complaints pertaining to any atrocities against them.

Karandlaje, a staunch supporter of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in or out of power despite the latter’s decision of quitting the ruling BJP and floating his own regional outfit of Karnataka Janata Party (KJP), has also taken the unusual step of a cabinet minister releasing the letter to the media soon after dispatching to the chief minister.

In her three-page official letter, Karandlaje has listed eight specific points asking the chief minister to take immediate steps to reassure the women.

Separate wings in all police stations in the urban areas must be established forthwith, the minister said demanding that the State Government must designate an officer to handle complaints from women in the urban police stations.
 

15 Rape Cases Registered in State in 2 Months
 
She also said separate wings should also be set up at least one police station in each taluk in rural areas to create conducive atmosphere for women to visit police stations and file complaints.

Ms Karadlaje lamented that as many as 15 rape cases were registered in the State during the last two months and pointed out that it was matter of serious concern.

There were instances of police hushing up cases in several incidents, she claimed and suspected that the police must be working for ''providing protection to influential people.”
 

Stringent Punishment Needed for Rape Accused
 
The police have been neglecting complaints filed by women, the minister alleged and said there was a need to amend the laws to provide stringent punishment to the accused in rape cases.

The State Government should take women’s security as a priority and give special attention to dealing with cases of rape, she said.

Karnataka State Women Commission (KSWC) should be strengthened, she demanded.
More powers need to be given to the Karnataka State Women Commission to enable it to play a proactive role to safeguard women’s interests, the minister said.
 

Permanent Compensation to Rape Victims Must

The minister also demanded installation of CCTVs in all police stations to ensure transparency in registration of cases.

With regard to rape cases, permanent compensation should be given to women and share in the property of a person involved in the case, she said.
 
It remains to be seen if her mentor and KJP leader Yeddyurappa will take up the suggestions of Karandlaje.

Incidentally, it is not known if Karandlaje decided to write to Shettar and immediately release it to the media as part of a larger political strategy in consultation with Yeddyurappa.