More fast track courts to try crimes against women

Home Minister K J George on Sunday said the State government had given its clearance for setting up 10-12 fast track courts to ensure speedy trial of crimes against women and children.

Speaking at a workshop on women’s safety and security here on Sunday, the minister said that only speedy trial would ensure justice to the victims. He said attempts were being made to prevent such crimes by increasing police presence.

“At least 10,000 Home Guards will be recruited shortly to assist the police. Women police strength, which has gone up from 10 percent to 20 per cent, will be further increased to 30 per cent in a phased manner. Crime hotspots identified across the City will be patrolled more intensively,” he said.  George was responding to an appeal by former DGP Jija M Hari Singh for strengthening the women’s police force.

Former minister M C Nanaiah, who is the chairperson of a government-appointed committee to devise changes to the law for ensuring deterrence as a measure of ensuring women and children’s safety from sexual crimes, said that the rule of the law without fear or favour was the only way to deter crimes against women and children.

He also favoured a common law instead of multiple legislations which confuse the police as well as the courts.

Bangalore Police Commissioner M N Reddi said that closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed across the City for better crime management. A social media wing would also become operational soon to leverage the assistance of the digital media and citizen journalists in making policing people-friendly.

A mobile app, S-Guard, which provides the highest level of deterrence, was launched by the minister. Five women achievers - Susheelamma of Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Saranya Hegde who runs the Mahila Dakshatha Samithi, Choodamani Ramachandra, who has popularised Dollukunitha by women, Sharada M, the Inspector who works with the HIV-affected and Transgenders and Bimba Raikar, MP and social worker were felicitated to mark International Women's Day.

Synergia Foundation and the State government had jointly organised the programme.