Thousands of youths, who came out to protest on Saturday against the recent gang-rape case, were joined by former Army Chief, General V.K. Singh.
He demanded strong punishment to not only the culprits but also the policemen whose dereliction of duty resulted in the horrifying crime. “The primary duty of the police is to ensure safety. They should be punished because they have failed. Dumping responsibilities and blaming each other will not work.”
Referring to the deteriorating law and order situation as “sad and pathetic,” he said the government had failed in a “disastrous” way in inspiring a sense of safety and security in women. “The situation is so bad that no girl or woman feels safe in approaching the police or going to a police station,” he said, while underscoring the need for police reforms, which have been “pending” for years now.
Highlighting the disturbing aspect of the brutal rape, he said: “There is something seriously wrong with the present system. Nothing will improve unless we change the system itself.”