Women’s security: Maliwal urges L-G to revive thana-level committees

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Sunday expressed its concern over the rape of three girls on Holi and demanded Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Najeeb Jung to constitute a high-level committee, besides reviving thana-level committees. These thana-level committees monitor the performance of the police in checking crime against women in the city.

Earlier, the DCW had requested the L-G to reconsider his decision to scrap thana or police station-level committees. “I have repeatedly requested your office to revoke the suspension of thana-level committee against the backdrop of horrific rapes in Delhi,” DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said in a letter to Jung.

“Scrapping of thana-level committees will be a huge blow to efforts being made towards women’s safety and democratic decision-making in the state... kindly reconsider your decision,” she wrote.

Each thana-level committee, constituted by the order of the L-G, is headed by an  area MLA (who represents the jurisdiction of the police station). Other members include officials of the MCD/NDMC/Cantonment Board, SDM, ACP and SHO of the same jurisdiction. 

Maliwal said the Commission was willing to form a consultative forum with the L-G’s office to discuss the issue.

“At present, there is no coordination among the various agencies responsible to look into matters related to the security of woman. Also, in the absence of a review mechanism to monitor the measures being taken, women’s security in Delhi will be in a state of vulnerability,” Maliwal said.