BJP flays Delhi govt over safety of women in city

The Delhi BJP on Thursday said it wanted the severest punishment for the four convicts in the December 16 gang-rape case.

The Delhi BJP on Thursday said it wanted the severest punishment for the four convicts in the December 16 gang-rape case.

HT Image

The party accused chief minister’s Sheila Dikshit government of not taking adequate measures to address the issue of offences against women in the city, even as figures show that crime has been increasing.

“It is unfortunate that despite a series of announcements in wake of the December 16 gang rape case, the safety concerns of women remain unaddressed in the city,” said Vijay Goel, Delhi BJP president.

“It is ironical that in spite of the reprehensible incident of December 16, the number of rapes in Delhi increased by 240% and molestation by 495% this year. The Congress government has only done window dressing,” said Arti Mehra, BJP’s national secretary.

The BJP has demanded modernisation of police force, deployment of sufficient number of women cops in each police station, replacement of old vehicles by upgraded vehicles and induction of more women officers.

“There should be self-defence training for women in all educational institutions,” said Mehra. The party promised that it would implement all these measures if it came to power in Delhi.

Commenting on the Rs. 14 lakh cap on election expenditure, Goel said that “figure was unrealistic”. He said the amount should be enhanced to Rs. 25 lakh.