Jaipur, March 13. Chief Minister Mr Ashok Gehlot said that Mahila Sakhis are playing an important role in building confidence among women and strengthening them. In the coming time, more and more women and girls will be linked by expanding the scope of the Mahila Suraksha Sakhi programme. He also added about expanding the self-defence training skill being imparted to girls in the State.
Mr Gehlot was having a dialogue with Mahila Suraksha Sakhis
associated with various police stations in the State through the video
conference from his official residence on Saturday. Giving 10 out of 10 marks
to Suraksha Sakhis, he said, “You all are playing your role in a better manner.
You have worked to instil the feeling of security among girls and strengthen
their confidence for which you all deserve kudos.”
When Mahila Sakhi Smt Manju from Ucchain, Bharatpur said that
she could not study further after passing class X, the Chief Minister inspired
her to study further and directed the police officers to cooperate in ensuring
her further studies. Mahila Sakhi Smt Tina from the Sodala Police Station area
told the Chief Minister that she assisted the girls in getting police help who
were disturbed by the eve-teasing. Hearing this the Chief Minister boosted her
morale.
Smt Anjali Kharbanda from Banswara said that how she helped the
gang-rape victim and sent the accused behind the bars. When the Chief Minister
asked her if she was afraid to which Smt Karbanda replied that after becoming
Mahila Suraksha Sakhi, she has crossed the phase of fear. Now she does not
hesitate in approaching the police regarding any matter. Suraksha Sakhis said
that the sense of security among women has increased with this programme. Smt
Asha Nama from Khatoli in Kota, Smt Neelam Thakur from Bhiwadi, Himanshi from
Pali during the dialogue told as to how they succeeded in stopping molestation
of school-going girls, stopping child marriage and getting justice to women
victims of husband’s atrocities with the help of police.
Maximum women during the dialogue with Shri Gehlot suggested
that if the meetings of Mahila Sakhis are held in the wards or colonies then
women will come ahead to share their pain and will be able to take help of the
police. This will also create fear among the molesters and eve-teasers.
The Chief Minister said that police have got a lot of help in
taking action against those committing atrocities on women and eve-teasers due
to the activeness of Suraksha Sakhis. Applauding this programme, he extended
wishes to the police and the Home Department. He said that such dialogue with
Mahila Suraksha Sakhis will continue in the future also and boosted their
morale. He said that change in the working style of police is the need of the
hour and asked police officers and personnel to take action with sensitivity in
the incidents of harassment and crime against women while discharging their
duties with honesty. He said that the atmosphere in police stations has changed
to a great extent after the implementation of mandatory registration of FIRs.
After mandatory registration of FIRs, cases registered in 156(3) by the
intervention of courts have reduced to 16% from 33%.
Mr Gehlot said that a Special Investigation Unit for Crime
Against Women has been set up in all the districts for effective investigation
and supervision of serious crimes against women and children. Officers at the
ASP level have been deployed at this unit. The State Government has set up
reception rooms at the police stations to ensure that every complainant coming
to the police station is treated with respect. He said that the time of forensic
investigation in FSL labs has reduced to 3-5 days from 15 days which has
increased the pace of investigation of crimes.
The Chief Minister released Mahila Suraksha Sakhi Guide and
Mahila Suraksha Sakhi Reference Book. He also invited suggestions from Suraksha
Sakhis.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Shri Ramesh Meena
said that women associated with various groups of Rajeevika as Suraksha Sakhis
can become a strong link of police in checking crime against women. Woman and
Child Development Minister Smt Mamta Bhupesh said that women victims are being
persuaded and are being provided medical assistance through Mahila Salah evum
Suraksha Kendras and One-Stop Sakhi Centre. She said 1.36 lakh women and girls
who could not complete their studies are being linked to education through the
Shiksha Setu scheme.
