Girls, women in Gurugram still vulnerable to sexual crimes

Gurugram: Back to back incidents of gang-rapes may have raised questions on the safety of women in Haryana. Leading this notorious pack, however, in the state is its icon city Gurugram, where 1,260 crimes against women were registered in 2017.

These crimes included 133 cases of rape, 305 of molestation and 16 of attempt to rape. All these incidents were higher than those registered in 2016.

The only silver lining was that while in 2016, a total of eight cases of abduction and rape were registered, only one was registered in 2017.

Being second in Haryana only to Faridabad in terms of sexual crimes against minors, a five-year-old was recently abducted and raped in the city.

Keeping the sorry state of affairs in mind, the Haryana government again launched Operation Durga, a drive against molesters in the city, on Thursday.

Though several molesters were rounded off by law enforcement officials, the citizens of Gurugram are hardly impressed.

"The sad part is that more than just the rise in crimes against women, the acts have become more brutal and brazen.

"Last year, one got to read various gruesome incidents of sexual crimes against women in Gurugram itself. It seems the perpetrators really do not have any fear of law," said Nidhi Narang, a resident.

To curb the rising crimes against women and deter criminals, Gurugram police are now working towards improving the conviction rate.

For this purpose, it plans to create a separate cell where criminal records will be kept up to date.

Headed by an official of Assistant Commissioner rank, the objective of this department will be to strengthen evidences with foolproof records, which would result in faster conviction of the criminals.

"We have identified certain sensitive areas in the city and deployed our officials there in plain clothes to maintain surveillance. We are also in the process of streamlining video coverage captured in CCTV cameras.

"Besides, our rounds of patrolling in desolate spots have also increased," said a senior Gurugram police official.

"Taking cognisance of the working women professionals, we have also asked cabs to install GPS systems. There are also reports that many vehicles, especially in Manesar, are plying without number plates. We will take action against these vehicles," added the official.