HYDERABAD: Amid the Independence Day celebrations, the incident of a woman being forcefully detained and beaten up at the LB Nagar police station has raised concern among women dwellers about alleged moral policing and unwarranted action by those meant to protect citizens.
In the incident, a woman named Laxmi was forcefully pushed into the police vehicle, taken to the station, and locked up, following which she was allegedly beaten up by police personnel, with the incident garnering widespread outrage.
Sri Lalitha, who works with a private firm in Malkajgiri, questioned, “Our office ends at 9 pm and we need to be home by 10 pm. Should we be afraid of the police simply because we’re on the streets?”
A woman resident of SR Nagar, not wishing to be named, said: “We are aware of women being assaulted by unidentified assailants but now this incident has changed my thinking. We were assured of safety by the police but I think I’m wrong.”
“We have seen news reports about police helping women and safety measures being taken. I’m wondering if these measures were simply an eyewash or PR exercise,” Rupa Ravi Verma, a techie from Chikadpally, said.
Meenakshi Krishnan, a resident of Banjara Hills, said, “It's sad to listen about the incident of Laxmi being assaulted at the hands of so-called ‘friendly police’. It’s surprising if they are really helpful for anyone coming from lower backgrounds.”
Women's rights activist Sandhya Rani said that while two policemen involved have been suspended, the SC and ST Atrocities Act has to be applied to the case against the officers and other corrupt officers must be arrested.
“Keeping women in the police station for two nights goes against Supreme Court guidelines and reflects poorly on those who are supposed to protect women,” Rani said.
Rachakonda DCP of the women’s safety wing, T. Usha Rani, said that necessary action was taken against those responsible and sought to ease concerns among women.
