UP police to inspect public toilets

ALLAHABAD: Coming to the help of women who face difficulties in the absence of adequate toilet facilities, the Uttar Pradesh police has decided to take up inspection of lavatories in public places and schools across the state to ensure that any shortcomings are dealt with.
      
An order "has been issued by the office of the Director General of Police directing all police officials across the state to handle the issue with due sensitivity," Inspector General of Police, Allahabad Zone, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, said.
      
He said the step was taken after some women's organisations drew the attention of DGP Vikram Singh to the plight of women who are compelled to use public conveniences that fail to ensure privacy.
       
"The issue involves the problems faced by women, especially those from weaker sections of the society, and hence warranted active intervention from the police responsible for protecting not only the life, but also the honour of its citizens," Tiwari said.
       
"We have formed teams comprising female police personnel, which have begun conducting inspection of educational institutions, especially those in the rural areas to find out how many of them are functioning without separate conveniences for women," the IGP said.

Tiwari said that the police department will even use its own resources to help create adequate amenities for the fair sex.
       
"Instructions have also been given to remove any lewd remarks or obscene sketches on the walls of the toilets, a common sight in these places," he said adding that gender sensitivity was an integral part of ensuring security of the people.
      
Besides educational institutions, Tiwari said the police is "surveying public toilets situated elsewhere with special emphasis on the conveniences for women.
 
"Places where such public conveniences are few would be identified and brought to the notice of the concerned authorities who will also be assisted by police in doing the needful," Tiwari added.