New Delhi: The National Commission for Women
on Wednesday said it is seeking a report from Noida administration on
the two sisters confining themselves in their apartment for
over six months and maintained that the civil society should
be more alert to prevent such incidents.
"The Noida case has disturbed me a lot. We are seeking a
report from the administration and police there. If we are not
satisfied, we might constitute a team and visit the spot," NCW
acting chairperson Yasmeen Abrar told reporters here.
In a shocking case, sisters Anuradha and Sonali were
found in a dehydrated state by police and an NGO yesterday in
their Sector 59 apartment after six months of
self-confinement. Anuradha died this morning at a hospital.
To a query about whether the area residents welfare
association should be taken to task, Abrar said civil society
has a key role to play in preventing such incidents.
"They were confined for such a long time. I feel that
civil society has a role. The society should monitor, be
aware, come forward," she said.
If such things happen, the neighbourhood comes to know.
If one day the door has not been opened, they know. The people
living in the neighbourhood remained silent. If everyone keeps
within themselves, that will not work."
She said the matter should be looked into in all
seriousness including what are reasons or the situation which
prompted it, whether any property issue was involved or there
was any possibility that they were kept confined and whether
the reports that are coming out in media reflect the actual
situation. "It looks like there is something wrong," she said.
Abrar, addressing the media for the first time after
taking charge following the end of tenure of Girija Vyas, said
she will follow the NCW`s existing policy of `chalen gaon ke
ore` (let us go to the village) and strive to take the
commission to the grassroots to ensure freedom for all women.
A monitoring committee will soon be formed to look into
implementation of women-centric laws and other such schemes in
states with the help of governments there, Abrar, a member of
the women`s panel since 2005, said.
She said amendments in the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal
Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act,
proper implementation of Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual
Harassment at Workplace Bill will be NCW`s priority areas to
push for in the Monsoon session of Parliament.
To a question on safety of women in Delhi, Abrar said
law and order situation should be strengthened in the city.
"There are strong laws, but we have to implement them
properly. Police, civil society and media have a role to play
in this regard," she said adding, the Commission has already
held consultation with the city Police Commissioner and laid
out a seven-point programme to make the city safer.
PTI
