Addressing a joint press conference, along with Director General of Police A C Sharma, Srivastava said: “We have issued instructions to police officials that they must initiate proceedings under NSA against the accused involved in rape, kidnapping or sexual harassment of women.”
Srivastava gave the information when asked whether the police was taking the issue of crimes against women seriously. He said that, as compared to last year, crime against women has gone up by 0.83 per cent.
Further, providing figures of the response to Women’s Power Line, which was launched by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on November 15, Srivastava said: “Between November 15 and 30, the power line received around 59,000 calls. Out of these, around 50,000 have already been disposed of. The remaining calls are also being attended to.”
The helpline deals with complaints of harassment of women by making indecent calls or sending SMSes and MMSes. First time offenders are cautioned or given counselling. However, if they do not mend their ways, the police takes furhter action under the law.
Earlier, the principal secretary and the DGP reviewed the law and order situation in Allahabad division and discussed issues like robbery and communal violence.
DGP Sharma said: “Police officials have been asked to follow zero tolerance policy against anybody involved in inciting communal violence. The officers have been asked to use optimum force to control the situation without any fear. Also, strict action would be taken against those officials found wanting in preventing any such flare ups.”
To a query on undertrials escaping from police custody while being ferried to and from court, DGP Sharma said: “You have to look at the restrictions on use of handcuffs owing to human rights considerations.” However, Srivastava said: “At least 17 jails now have video-conferencing facility for remand-related purposes. We will be extending this to all the 65 jails and later even get the trial done through video-conferencing.”