Lucknow: Rattled by the national outcry after the rape and killing of two minors in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday ordered the setting up of women helplines in all 75 districts of the state.
A statement issued by the chief minister’s office said senior superintendents of police/superintendents of police will be monitoring the helpline.
Women facing harassment or any other form of violence can use the helpline and a probe would be conducted by the women’s cell of police, it said. All such probes will also be monitored by district police chiefs, an official said.
Giving these directions, Akhilesh Yadav stressed the state government was committed to protecting the honour of the women and ensuring their safety, while warning people behind such harassment will not be spared at any cost.
The chief minister also directed that in case of an incident of rape, senior police and district officials should reach the crime scene and ensure immediate arrest of the culprits and security and safety of the victims.
Terming incidents such as rape were inhuman and serious criminal offences, he said such cases should be pursued through fast track courts and district magistrates to oversee the process and also ensure that government counsels are present in the case and the criminals are brought to justice at the earliest.
Meanwhile, in Lucknow, activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party women’s wing held a march and surrounded the chief minister’s office to protest against the rising incidents of atrocities against women in the state.
The protestors assembled at the BJP office in front of the state assembly, and began a march towards Yadav’s office.
Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and his son and Lok Sabha member Chirag Paswan Monday met the families in Katra Sadatganj village and said they were living in constant fear and accused the Samajwadi Party government of conniving with criminals.
Paswan, the union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, lashed out at the Akhilesh Yadav government for not doing enough in the aftermath of the crime.
In New Delhi, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi described the incident as a “terrible” case and said the centre was viewing it very seriously.
IANS
