Is Mumbai safe for women? One would hesitate in answering the above question in ‘Yes’. Even the Mumbai police are not sure that women can feel safe on the occasions such as ‘December 31 celebration’ or ‘New Year celebration’. According to some police officials, it’s not completely safe for women to be out on the streets on December 31.
Where is the safe place for women? Women are not safe even in the presence of more than 1000 people. The incident happened at gateway of India during New Year celebrations last year when some pervert-minded and drunken revellers stripped and molested a girl in the presence of more than 1000 people and even tore her cloths in public view, as her friend watched helplessly.
Now, people are again gearing up to celebrate the New Year party and it will be tough for police to control the huge crowd at several places including the Gateway of India. Bars will be opened up to 5 am on the January 1 and the policing the streets will only get tougher. To restrict any untoward incident on December 31, the Mumbai Police have made a plan for New Year’s Day as-
# Streetlights should be on for the whole night, particularly in crowded areas.
# Police patrol party should be on duty on all the busy localities.
# Traffic police checkpoints will have to remain alert to nab drunken drivers, and such people can be sent to jail
# Policemen should find out what’s in bottles people are carrying
# People drinking in public should be detained for the night.
# There should be some segregated areas for couples in crowded places.
Joint Commissioner of Police, Law & Order, K L Prasad said that the police have decided to make one part of the Gateway of India segmented for families and another area for singles. Hotel owners have also tightened up security in their hotels and bars. Singles will not be given entry in the hotels and bars.
