CM attacks Delhi Police, says nothing has changed since Dec 16 gang-rape

New Delhi: Launching a fresh attack on Delhi Police, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday rued that things have not changed since the brutal December 16 gang-rape incident in the city and women are still scared of going to police stations to register their complaints.

"Sensitivity of policing should be much more than what is right now. It is very difficult for women to go to a police station and register a complaint because they are scared of going to police," Dikshit said in an interaction at Indian Women`s Press Corps (IWPC) here. Normally a cool Dikshit lost her temper when she was asked whether the Chief Ministership should be abolished as she was helpless in addressing major issues confronting the city. "If you want to abolish the CM`s post, then do so," she retorted. She, however, quickly listed her achievements in the last 14 years claiming that her government has performed splendidly in diverse sectors including education, health care and road infrastructure. Dikshit had severely criticised police in the wake of the brutal gang-rape and assault of a 23-year-old para-medical student who later died in December last year and even demanded resignation of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar. She had also regretted not having any control over functioning of the police which functions under Home Ministry. "The crime against women is a matter of great concern for us. Women do not go to police station as they do not have confidence in police. This is a major challenge to change the current system. We have to confront the challenge. But question is where to start and how to start," Dikshit said. The Chief Minister has been attacking police periodically after the gang-rape incident and even sought the Prime Minister`s intervention in February to direct the force to deliver on its promises to improve women`s safety. The Delhi Government has been seeking some aspect of policing like traffic management and law and order under it. The Delhi Police functions directly under the administrative control of the Home Ministry. The Chief Minister also underlined the need for changing the mindset of the society to ensure better security environment for women in the city. "Rapes have been taking place in the city and the culprit in majority of the cases is in the home or neighbourhood, and victim`s family feels helpless in taking any action," she said. PTI