S_O_C_O_M
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2010
- Messages
- 2,476
- Reaction score
- 0
Is city unsafe for women?
HYDERABAD: The alleged rape of an American national on Wednesday was the first such case involving a foreign national to be reported in the city in the last three years. Yet, it has led to serious concerns among Hyderabadis who feel that the Nizam's land is no longer a safe place for women.
Though police records show a decline in the number of rape cases, from 60 in 2008 to 45 in 2009, Hyderabad's women say they are little convinced with the figures. With incidents of eve-teasing, acid attacks and even molestation becoming a common affair, they fear that rape cases too could soon see a spurt in numbers. Apart from the lack of patrolling at public places, especially bus stands and railway stations, denizens blame the sloppy legal system for the rise in such crimes.
"Incidents of crime go up when people know they can get away with it," said Chandana Chakravarty, a social activist, adding, "We routinely hear of women being molested on the deserted streets of Jubilee Hills. Also, it has become very difficult for young girls to wait at bus stands after dark these days. They are often hounded by unscrupulous characters."
Though Hyderabad, unlike other metros in India, is far from being `critically unsafe' for women, city old-timers say that reports of assault on the fairer sex have considerably increased over the last five-six years. Be it the plush Banjara Hills-HiTec City stretch or the narrow bylanes of Old City, areas are increasingly becoming unsafe for women post sunset.
"No area is better than the other now. Banjara Hills might be upmarket but it also registers the highest number of raids conducted relating to human trafficking. So one cannot feel at peace even in plush localities," said Sunitha Krishnan of Prajwala that works with victims of trafficking. She, however, expressed shock over Wednesday's incident. "This is the first time I have heard of a foreign national being raped in the city. This is traumatising," she said.
The incident came as a surprise even for the city police who said that such cases are usually far and few. In fact rape cases involving locals, they said, was also not a massive problem. "On the contrary, for the January to May period, which reported as many as 27 rape cases in 2008, this has dropped to 17 this year. It is still an issue but not as grave as other crimes," said S Umapathi, inspector general, women's protection cell.
Is city unsafe for women? - Hyderabad - City - The Times of India