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People avoid police stations; filing FIR remains a tough task
Noida Lok Manch general secretary Mahesh Saxena also criticised the police for the delay in registering the gangrape case, reports Kapil Datta.
A day after the crime spree on Tuesday night, residents remained tensed. As for Noida police, some tough questions stared them in the face.
A woman was shot dead and a man critically injured, while three others were robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday — the suburban town’s security is once again suspect.
Monday’s case of the insensitive handling of the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl, who was shunted between two police stations for two days by Noida Police, has already gave credence to the allegations that getting an FIR registered still remains a tough task.
Noida residents have expressed concern over the city becoming unsafe especially for women, children and the elderly.
KP Satheesh, chairman of NGO Civilian Citizens Army and the Guardian Foundation, said, “Lodging an FIR in Noida is a Herculean task. People avoid going to police station for fear of being harassed and ridiculed. Human rights are being violated at all police stations.” Satheesh said his organisation would extend all possible help to the gangrape victim.
Women’s organisations have expressed concern over spiralling crime against women. All India Women Conference representative Raksha Shukla said, “Noida women feel unsafe even when taking a stroll outside the house. Chain snatching incidents take place on internal roads too.”
Noida Lok Manch general secretary Mahesh Saxena also criticised the police for the delay in registering the gangrape case. “Can’t the police help victims without media pressure? Police personnel also have daughters,” he said.
It may be recalled that soon after taking charge, the Mayawati Government had organised special camps for filing complaints that were not registered during the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime. Hundreds of FIRs were registered at the camp. A year later, the same complaints of non-registration of FIRs are pouring in from all quarters.
Reacting on the issue, Superintendent of Police (City) RK Gautam said complainants could contact him or the SSP if police station officials refused to lodge their complaint. Station Officers of both sectors 49 and 20 have been given a warning, he said.
