Maha Govt to set up special police stations for women

Maharashtra government plans to set up special police stations and helpline for women in MAumbai and eight other police commissionerates in the state, minister of state for home (rural) Nitin Raut said.

"Every district would also have a similar police station. These police stations will be managed by women police personnel," the minister told reporters after a meeting here yesterday with women's organisations and NGOs.

There has been a spurt in crimes against women like dowry harassment, molestation and rape and women who are victims of rape, molestation and other sexual crimes feel awkward while reporting these incidents to the local police stations, the minister said, justifying the move.

"With these special police stations for them, women would feel at ease to lodge a complaint," he said.
       
During 2005 and 2008, there were 6,054 cases of rape and 8,172 people were arrested in connection with these cases.
       
The police commissionerates which would have special police stations for women include Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Amravati, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nashik and Solapur.

The government would also set up a toll-free helpline and provide free legal advice for women, the minister said, adding the helpline is expected to be operational in a month.