Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said the Mumbai Police is stretched thin and while additional manpower is being recruited,policing a city with such a large population remains a challenge. There is no easy solution to this, said Chavan when asked if any specific measures will be put in place to tackle complaints of eve-teasing and sexual harassment following the killing of two young men in Amboli on October 20. One thing to ensure is quick,deterrent punishment, the Chief Minister told reporters during an informal interaction ahead of his completing a year in office later this week. Chavan added that trials in cases such as the killing of Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez should not be allowed to drag on for years. He said the state government had accepted all the demands put forward by the victims parents,including ensuring that the case is committed to a fast-track court and appointing a special public prosecutor. We are also asking for capital punishment for all four men who were arrested immediately. On the perception that the Mumbai Police is not responsive to complaints of eve-teasing,he said there is a need to sensitise the police force even though Mumbai remains a much safer city for women. We are also increasing the number of women in the Mumbai Police. There is no easy solution.. there is no one thing we can do that will put an end to the problem.
