Nationwide outrage over journalist's gang rape in Mumbai

NEW DELHI, Aug 23 (PTI): The gang rape of a young photojournalist in Mumbai triggered an avalanche of outrage across the country on Friday and condemned as despicable and shameful stirring memories of a similar attack last December in New Delhi that led to nationwide protests.

As people from all walks of life voiced their anguish, political parties, media associations and Bollywood were one in demanding harshest punishment to the perpetrators of the crime in a city which is seen as far safer for women than the national capital,

The attack also had its echo in Rajya Sabha which erupted in anger with agitated members expressing serious concern over increasing atrocities on women and the government assuring "harshest" action against the culprits.

Union law minister Kapil Sibal said sex assaults must be dealt with "in the severest manner".

"We cannot afford to let our women and children live in insecurity and must make sure that such attacks against women are dealt in the severest manner," he said.

Hundreds of people including members of several journalists' associations gathered in south Mumbai to stage a silent protest. Some wore black armbands, while others carried placards reading "stop rape" and "city of shame."

Media associations in Chennai said the "horrifying incident" has shocked the entire country once again raising the issue of safety of women.

Some even sniped at the Union ministry of home affairs and its equivalent in Maharashtra for failing to enhance the safety of women in the country since the Delhi gang-rape incident last December and after enactment of new laws.

BJP's Smriti Irani while raising the issue during zero hour in Rajya Sabha asked what steps had been initiated to prevent recurrence of such incidents even after repeated assurances of improving law and order condition in the aftermath of Delhi gang rape and targeted the Centre and the Maharashtra government.

Twitter was also abuzz with rage over the gang rape.

"Despicable! We are shamed! How long & God forbid, how many more before the criminals are punished? Wake up, India!" tweeted BJP spokeswoman Nirmala Sitharaman.

"helpless to say the least...words like "devastated".."disgusted" mean nothing at a timelike this!!!! #gangerape in my city...I feel ashamed," lamented producer-director Karan Johar on Twitter.

Kiran Bedi, former IPS officer tweeted, "Another shame!A photo journ gang-raped by 5 men in Mumbai.No wonder India is considered most unsafe place for women amongst G-30 countries."

"... thousands of women aren't safe in a country that demands of them patriotism, sacrifices and taxes," said one tweet. Some said legislations are merely not enough.

"If punishment is strict, rape incidents can be avoided," said a Jadavpur University student, while a Bhopal housewife said women and even shcool girls are not safe anymore.

Centre seeks report from Mumbai police

Terming as "extremely tragic and unfortunate" the gang rape of a 23-year-old photojournalist, the Centre on Friday said it has sought a detailed report from Mumbai police on the incident.

"First of all, what happened in Mumbai is a matter concerning that state. In spite of that, I have spoken to the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The investigation is progressing," home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters outside Parliament House.

Minister of state for home RPN Singh said the Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Mumbai police.

"It is an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident that has happened in Mumbai. We have asked for a detailed report from the Mumbai police. We have also asked the Mumbai police to take immediate action ... to arrest the accused. Harshest punishment should be meted out to these people," he said.

The 23-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped by five men in Parel area in central Mumbai last night.

The incident took place at around 8 pm near Shakti Mills in Lower Parel area when the victim, working with an English magazine, was on an assignment, doing a story on "chawl", police said.

In a chilling reminder of the December gang rape in Delhi, the men tied up the victim's friend and raped the woman.

In a statement given to police, the girl said the five goons were present in the Shakti Mills compound. They started making lewd remarks and harassed her. When her friend intervened, two of them assaulted him. Three others took the woman inside the dilapidated structure and raped her.

Gangraped journalist undergoes surgery, stable

Mumbai, Aug 23 (IANS): The woman photojournalist who was brutally gangraped Thursday underwent surgery Friday, said a spokesperson for the Jaslok Hospital where she was admitted.

The victim, who was gangraped in the deserted Shakti Mills Compound in Mahalaxmi late Thursday, is able to speak though she is still in a state of mental shock.

"She has been under treatment since last night. She underwent a minor surgical procedure today (Friday) and now her condition has improved and stabilized. We expect a speedy recovery," the spokesperson told mediapersons here this evening.

The woman, working as an intern photojournalist with an English magazine, was attacked along with her male colleague when they were on a late evening assignment inside the sprawling Shakti Mills Compound.

They were confronted by five people who allegedly first assaulted and tied up the male colleague, and later gangraped the woman in thick undergrowth of the mill compound.

Police learnt of the incident after the duo reached the hospital where they were admitted for treatment last night.

Claiming to have cracked the case by nabbing one accused and having identified the other culprits, Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said the others would be nabbed soon.

According to Singh, the accused are in their early 20s and live in the vicinity of the abandoned mill.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan announced that the state government will bear all the medical expenses of the victim and extend all possible help to her family.