Karnataka police assure protection to women

Bangalore, March 7: Carrying placards reading 'Make Bangalore safe for women' and 'End violence against women', a group of activists trooped into the office of a top Karnataka police official Saturday evening and sought action to stop increasing cases of harassment of women in the state, particularly in this capital.

Around 50 members of the Fearless Karnataka-Nirbhaya Karnataka (FKNK), a group formed to take on goons in Bangalore in the wake of a spate of attacks on women for wearing western outfits, met Inspector General of Police (IGP) (Public Grievances and Human Rights) R.P. Sharma as Karnataka police chief Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh was away.

'We're happy with the outcome of the discussion with the IGP. He gave us a patient hearing and promised to look into the issue carefully,' Jagdeesh B.N, one of the founder members of the FKNK, told IANS.

The members submitted a memorandum listing the recent attacks and the action they expect from police. They had an hour-long discussion with Sharma.

Jagadeesh said the IGP agreed to arrange a discussion between members of the FKNK and top Bangalore police officials Monday.

'At Monday's meeting we will again put forward our grievances and hope that soon Bangalore will be a safe city for women,' said Sanjana, a journalist who was also attacked by two motorcycle-borne youth recently.

Within a fortnight, five cases of attack on women have been reported from different areas of the city. The cases follow a pattern as motorcycle- or car-driving attackers have abused and punched young women for wearing western outfits.

However, no arrest has been made. 'Police are yet to nab the culprits,' Jagadeesh said.

The FKNK members met Bangalore city police commissioner Shankar Bidari at his office March 2 and submitted a memorandum demanding safety and security to women in the city.

Disappointed with Bidari's response, the group took its case to the state top police official Saturday, ahead of the International Women's Day Sunday.

According to police, first information reports (FIRs) have been lodged only in three cases and victims are yet to provide the exact description of the molesters and information about the number plates of the vehicles they used.

On Sunday, the FKNK will organise 'Take Back the Night Walk' on prominent roads of the city to 'reclaim the right to be safe at night across the state'.

The FKNK has over 100 registered members and has received support for its initiatives from several groups like the Black Noise Project (working against sexual harassment of women on Bangalore streets), Maraa, an NGO, and Karnataka Women's Forum.