People's Democracy

Police Action on Protestors Condemned

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on December 22, 2012.

THE Polit Bureau condemns the police action on thousands of young demonstrators outside government offices on Rajpath today. It is a spontaneous upsurge fuelled by the outrage against the brutal gang rape and beating of a young woman and also by the common experience of young women in Delhi of sexual harassment in public places. The use of lathis, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters highlights the utter insensitivity of the Delhi Police and of the central and state governments on the issue.

The arrogant statements by the home secretary and the Delhi Police commissioner refusing to accept the responsibility of the utter failure to implement earlier assurances related to the measures required to ensure security for women in Delhi is deplorable. Who is responsible for the monitoring of the security situation?  Who is accountable for non-implementation of the measures already decided? The multiplicity of authorities, particularly as far as law & order and security in Delhi is concerned, has meant zero accountability on the part of various authorities for the deteriorating security of women in the capital, with the state and central agencies indulging in a blame game.

The prime minister should answer the nation. He should intervene without delay, implement the earlier measures assured and take appropriate action against those top police officials responsible. Pious statements have little meaning.