Mangaluru doc seeks anti-rape squad in police stations

Exhausted commuters plying between Corporation Circle and Majestic on Sunday evening had no idea why a man was holding placards on the busy stretch. Not many bothered to ask him either.

He wanted the government to set up a special anti-rape squad in all police stations across the country, which should include three professional women police officers as well as forensic experts and a dedicated 24X7 support centre.

Meet Dr Noel K Mathew, a doctor at Fr Muller Medical College in Mangaluru. After staging similar demonstrations in Kochi (May 15) and in Mangaluru (May 29) on Sundays, Matthew was in the city on Sunday and is planning to travel to Manipal (June 26) and Chennai in order to spread the message.

Holding placards in hand, the 25-year-old doctor stood all alone from 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday near Ulsoor Gate police station. At 6.30 pm, his friends joined him expressing their solidarity as they marched forward with candles and lights towards Hudson Circle. This is how Mathew holds the demonstration in different cities. Mathew is not happy about the present system where women have to go to the police station ‘which are not approachable’.

“There is a sense of anxiety and (a) kind of mental harassment in approaching the police station. The rape victim is considered as a loser. The anti-rape squad, consisting of women officers, should change that into a comfortable ambience for the victim to open up,” he said.

He felt a stringent law and speedy trial will reduce the number of rape cases.
DH News Service