Days after the alleged molestation of several women during new year celebrations created outrage, Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday said that 550 more CCTV cameras will be installed in sensitive areas of the city within two months to prevent crime.
Speaking to the press here on Thursday, he said these cameras would be installed at a cost of Rs. 39 crore. There are also plans to install 5,000 cameras across the city in the coming months, he said. Dr. Parameshwara said the women force in the police would be increased from 5 per cent to 20 per cent in the coming days. Number of parallel lines at the police helpline (100) would be increased from 15 to 100 in two months at a cost of Rs. 14 crore.
Asserting that there was no vacuum in the department in discharging responsibilities on New Year’s eve, Dr. Parameshwara said the new Police Commissioner assumed charge only on January 1.
“The new commissioners addressed you and wished you (journalists) on the 1st. There was no vacuum,” he said.
Reply to NCW
Speaking about his comments on the incidents earlier, allegedly linking them to “western mindset and dressing”, over which National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report, Dr. Parameshwara said he would be replying to the NCW. He reiterated that he had been misquoted.
He would also reply to a notice sent by Delhi Women’s Rights Commission, but not before examining whether any State has the power to send such a notice to a Minister of another State.
NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam had slammed Dr. Parameshwara’s remarks and demanded his resignation. The NCW as well as the Karnataka State Commission for Women have sought separate reports from administration and police over the incidents. “The choice of every citizen of our country should be respected. Women have equal rights, respect and protection under the Constitution,” he said.
“I am not the kind of person to treat women with disrespect. We all respect our families... womenfolk. We come from that kind of a culture,” the Home Minister said.
