Panel seeks info on gangrape

The commission of inquiry constituted by the government to review responses to the December 16 gangrape incident and suggest measures to improve safety and security of women in Delhi has requested the public to provide information about the brutal incident. The commission has also sought suggestions from the general public on ways to improve the safety and security of women, particularly in the city and national capital region. “The commission of inquiry under the chairmanship of Justice Usha Mehra (Retd) has requested the members of public to provide any information about the shocking incident of rape and brutal assault on a young woman in New Delhi on December 16,” an official statement said. “Any information, suggestions and responses could be sent through email at usha.Mehracommission@nic.in or through fax latest by January 10,” it said. Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, meanwhile, has directed the Delhi police to launch a special drive for recruiting female constables and officers and appoint more women personnel in police stations to instil confidence among women. “I have directed the Delhi police to launch a special drive for recruiting women. We will hire more women in the Delhi police,” he told reporters. Mr Shinde said he has also instructed authorities concerned to deploy at least one woman officer in each of the city’s 166 police stations. “Every police station should have women police personnel. I have also suggested that each of the 166 police stations in Delhi should have at least one woman police officer. But we do not have that many numbers of police officers. But I told them whatever possible should be deployed till we recruit more women,” he said.