Perverts on the loose: Are cops failing us?

Mumbai: Stringent laws like in UAE will surely help Nowhere in the world can police protect every citizen. Citizens need to protect themselves first. People need to be cautious about where their children are, who they play with, and watch them all the time. Women should learn self-defence and basic methods of fighting back.

We can’t expect 40,000 cops to protect 15 million citizens? However, the police are responsible for cracking cases and the judiciary is responsible for fast-tracking cases so that criminals get maximum jail time. Rape and murder of a minor should result in a death penalty, nothing less. The police need to conduct comprehensive and dedicated investigations and see a case through in a given period.

Stringent laws like they have in the UAE certainly help.Indians have to be conditioned to respect women from birth. Sex education, free discussion on gender issues in a democratic environment in school and colleges create a healthy atmosphere. The family can play an important role in creating the right attitudes.
Zubin Driver, founder, Fight-back

Make use of the helpline number If this is the third incident in four months then the cops have erred somewhere. Also there is no news yet of the accused, so he is still scot-free. But, it isn’t entirely right to merely put the blame on the police. People too should act responsibly when they notice any suspicious activity. Not many use the helpline number 103 which is for reporting abuse against women and child. Stringent laws would surely help while tackling with such criminals. Also, the cops should be alert and quick in taking action when someone reports any such activity.
Daryl Samuel, media professional

People have to become more alert Such incidents occur because people turn their eyes or shut other’s mouth when a minor incident occurs. There must be thousands of rape or molestation cases which to go unreported because people don’t want their names to be dragged in. This is the main reason why criminals roam freely. We have to become responsible and start taking charge rather than depending on authorities for our safety. Also, our policemen aren’t motivated enough to be dedicated to their job. They are paid poorly, working conditions are bad, so why will they go out and risk their lives to save others?
Purvi Kadakia, manager

Decisions should be fast and furious The police are not doing enough to protect the citizens. Actually this is not the first time that these things have come across. Who can forget the Jessica Lal case which is a good example of the loopholes in our administration. The functioning of our law and order is the root cause of all the problems. The police should find out what are the main reason for these problems and then they should act accordingly. These criminals should be hanged till death and that’s my personal perception. The law-order should be strict and decisions giving process should be fast and furious.
Abhishek Yadav, Sr corp com executive

Increase task force to make city safer Mumbai is known to be the safest city for women in the country in comparison to other parts. But in the recent past, the city has seen some shocking incidents which are proof that the city’s safety bubble is burst. I don’t know who can be held responsible for such incidents. Even police cannot be judged for a slow crackdown. But if in an area, such incidents are reported repeatedly then the police is at fault. Also, we need a better-equipped police with more task force so that every area can be made safe. The state home ministry will have to move in fast to achieve that goal.
Nihal Daswani, student

It was never like this before in Kurla The incident of rape cases in Kurla has really scarred me. I have been living in Kurla since my birth. Previously, I had never heard about such heinous crimes in our locality. There is not enough police deputed late evening near the station. Sometimes we see police take action but I hardly find that criminals get convicted. It is not easy to blame any particular department for the rising crime. Police need to take action fast against the criminals. Moreover judiciary must give strict punishment to the criminals within a month. The police cannot afford to delay taking action against the offenders.
Rukhsar Ismail, student