Women’s cry on Gurgaon crime street: Give safety

GURGAON: Millennium City continued its campaign for women’s rights and safety. On Sunday, another candle-light vigil was organized in front of the Sahara Mall on MG Road. Protesters demanded that the state government and the Gurgaon administration draw up a comprehensive plan to ensure women’s safety.
The protest was organized by a Gurgaon-based hobby group Let’s walk Gurgaon and supported by NGOs Jagori, Must Bol, besides the group Gurgaon Drum Circles.The demonstration began with a street play Dastak (Voice against atrocities on women) performed by Arvind Gaur’s Asmita theatre group.
Sehba Imam, founder of Let’s walk Gurgaon, said, “The protest is not against any individual or administration, but against the system. We are demanding that arrest of the culprits should not be the end of the matter and it should be followed by a speedy trial. Besides, the three cops of the PCR van should be punished for dereliction of duty.”
“Just suspending them is not punishment enough as they might join duty after sometime,” she said. “However, we will not let that happen and continue our protest till justice is delivered, Imam added.
Kalpana Vishwanath, senior advisor, Jagori, said, “It is important to voice women’s issues. People are angry due to the lawlessness. A strong public reaction is required to send out the message that women’s rights must be respected. The administration must ensure a safe environment for women.”
Arvind Gaur said, “Cultural intervention is required to bring awakening. For the last 15 days, we have been creating awareness through our play Dastak in the NCR. The play highlights the violence and harassment women face in public places and even at the workplace.”
Gaur said a group of citizens met President Pratibha Patil on Sunday morning and handed over a memorandum seeking government intervention.