Top State officials and policemen have recommended amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act to lower the age limit to 16 from 18 years. This recommendation is significant in the back drop of Delhi gang-rape case.

Lowering the age limit for juvenile is among various recommendations from the conference of the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals Police held on January 04. It has also suggested increase in punishment for gang rape, setting up of Fast Track Courts, national data base for sexual offenders and amendments to CrPC and IPC

Participants at the conference also came out with the suggestions for gender sensitisation of the police force, more recruitment of women in police, deployment of women police personnel in every police station, common help line for women across the country, strengthening of forensic capability and community policing.

Talking about safety for women, the conference felt that there was a need to increase the number of response vehicles (PCR) and Women PCRs could be started. Mahila help desk need to be established, they said . The women’s help line should be toll free.

Security of women in trains should be ensured. GPS system should be fixed in transport buses. Care centres for women who have no place to go at night should be started with the help of NGOs, they said.

>shishir.sinha@thehindu.co.in

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