A case can be charged against a man who annoyingly stares continually at a woman for 14 seconds. But not a single such case has been registered so far in Kerala, Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh has said.
Pepper spray can ward off anti-social elements and can be effectively used for self-defence by women and girls. Learning martial arts is another practicable option, he said and called upon women to be proactive in reporting and following up crimes committed against them. They must instantly react if anyone passes lewd comments or touches them inappropriately. The police too must be informed, Mr. Singh said at a State-level student empowerment programme organised here on Sunday by a charitable trust.
He further exhorted enforcement officials to clamp down on traffic rule violators so that there is a fall in number of road accidents. Wearing seat belt and quality helmets will go a long way in lessening the impact of accidents, Mr Singh added.
