Locals and RWA members claim police never held public meetings, awareness camps in their areas
With as many as eight sites identified in the Capital where minor girls were kept in confinement and were allegedly being sexually assaulted in the garb of running ashrams, Delhi Police's numerous neighbourhood watch schemes seem to have crumbled completely. From the 'Eyes and Ears scheme' to 'Thana-level and district level committees' and even 'Community policing' that the Delhi Police Commissioner has often been talking about, surprisingly, did not help unveil the racket.
When DNA spoke to locals and RWA members, it was revealed that the Delhi Police's Neighbourhood Watch Schemes have not reached far. Thakur Vishambhar Singh, president of the Vijay Vihar Residents Welfare Association told DNA that a similar issue was raised two years ago when they had also informed police about such practices in the Ashram, but nothing was done.
"Beat constables used to come and question us but nothing was ever done. And as far as Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are concerned, no meeting of RWA has been held by police officers in our area. We internally meet often to discuss matters, but police has never participated," he said, adding that the police have been aware of the Ashram menace for long.
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday in a joint raid with police rescued 41 girls from Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya in Rohini owned by a self-styled Godman Virendra Dev Dixit, after parents of a few girls admitted there created ruckus on not being allowed to meet their daughters.
After their rescue from "inhumane conditions and confinement", a further probe revealed eight other addresses owned by Dixit are also practicing the same. Eventually more rescues were made on Friday and Saturday from Dwarka, Mohan Garden and Uttam Nagar areas.
Such major rescues which unveils a strong nexus of authorities running sex rackets in the Capital, have also raised questions on the community policing initiatives that the Delhi Police has often been talking about at public platforms.
According to Delhi Police the 'Neighbourhood Watch Scheme' has enhanced security by keeping residents alert. At present, police claims this scheme is functional in 2,252 residential colonies and housing complexes. Further, 'Eyes and Ears Scheme' to sensitise roadside vendors, security guards, parking attendants, auto drivers, welfare associations etc. to keep a watch and look for suspicious persons and inform police immediately.
Moreover, 'Thana Level/District Level Committees' are constituted by the order of L-G, headed by area MLA with members like ACPS and SHOs of the area. It also includes representatives from RWAs, educational institutions, women's organisations and representatives from students and labour associations. The DCP is its convenor and the meeting of the committee is held once in three months, police claims.
Apart from these, special community policing schemes have been launched like 'Jan Sampark' wherein senior police officers go to their respective areas on a pre-scheduled time and hear public grievances for speedier solutions to people's problems/grievances.
Despite repeated attempts, Delhi Police PRO could not be contacted for comment.
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