New Additional General of police's advice that women should board the general compartment rather than travelling alone in ladies' bogey has garnered mixed reactions
New Additional General of police's advice that women should board the general compartment rather than travelling alone in ladies' bogey has garnered mixed reactions
IN a bid to make travelling on local trains a safer proposition for women, the new additional director general of police (ADGP) of the GRP has advised them to travel in the general compartment if the ladies' compartment is empty. 
The ADGP advice comes in the wake of increasing cases of women being assaulted in local trains especially at night
ADGP Shrikant Savarkar feels that women will be better off travelling in the company of men rather than travelling alone in the ladies' bogeys.
The ladies' compartments are usually empty post 10.30 pm.
"In case the female commuters feel scared of travelling alone in the ladies' compartment, they should board the general compartment. This will keep them safe from thefts and misbehaviour.
u00a0
I want all female passengers to feel safe while travelling on the suburban railway network," said Savarkar.
Nearly 15 lakh women use the suburban railway network every day and cases of women being assaulted on trains (see box) are on the rise.
u00a0
Most women MiD DAY spoke to said they feel unsafe while travelling on local trains, especially in the night.
Savarkar said that the GRP does depute security personnel in local trains, but commuters will be safer if they are more alert and are willing to help fellow passengers.
"It is not possible for us to post constables in each and every coach of the trains. This does not mean, however, that we are trying to shrug off our responsibilities. All I'm saying is that commuters will be safer if they are alert," he said.
According to the rules, the ladies' compartments of every train must have a GRP constable after 8.30 pm.
The total strength of the GRP is 1,800 and nearly 200 constables out of these are deputed for night duty between 8.30 pm and 6.30 am for the 600 services that are run during this period.
Cases
April 11, 2011: Arunima Sinha (23), a national-level volleyball player, was thrown off a moving train during a scuffle with hoodlums who were trying to snatch her gold chain. Sinha's left leg was run over by another train and had to be amputated. The incident took place in Bareilly, UP.
September 20, 2010: A 14-year-old boy entered a local train in Malad and saw a woman commuter, Sunita Karmashi Kalsaariya (27), alone in the compartment. He slashed her neck before snatching her cellphone and jumping off at the next station. Kalsaariya later filed a complaint with the railway police, who managed to trace the culprit.
13 August, 2002: A 12-year-old homeless mentally challenged girl was travelling alone in the second-class general compartment. A 22-year-old drunk labourer, Salim, raped her in front of the male passengers sitting in the compartment but nobody came to her rescue.
1998: Jaybala Ashar was on her way to college to appear for a math exam when she found herself facing the biggest test of her life. A drug addict aboard the 5:45 am Borivli-bound local train tried to snatch her purse. She relented but he managed to snatch it and threw her off the train. She landed on the tracks in front of an oncoming train. She did not get any help from three other female commuters who were in the compartment.
Voices
I do just what the GRP has advised. I travel in the men's compartment at night when the ladies' compartment is empty. It is safe and wise to do that.
Leena Patil (21), Student
If there are too many men in the compartment, it is safer to travel alone in the ladies' bogey.
Janhavi More (21), Student
It is not safe to travel in the general compartment if only a few men are there. But, if the number of men is more, it is definitely safer to travel in that compartment during off-peak hours.
Reshma Gaikwad (21), Working
u00a0
It is, of course, safer to travel in the general compartment at night rather than in an empty ladies' compartment. I'd prefer that any day.
Shibani Devare , Working
u00a0
The GRP should provide safety measures like a lady constable in the compartment. What if the men's compartment is also empty? We can't depend on that all the time.
Amandeep Sablok (24), Working
Yes, it is much safer to travel in the general compartment at night rather than in ladies.
Neha Das (21), Working
u00a0
It is not safe to travel in the general compartment at night. Men might try to take advantage of a girl being alone.u00a0
Falguni Paleja (18), Student
u00a0
It depends on the crowd. If there are a number of people in the general compartment, it is safe. If not, travelling alone in a ladies' compartment is safer
Anahita Rupa (25), Housewife
I can't think of any scenario in which it would be safer to travel in the gents's compartment.
Khyati Kumble, Student
u00a0
I feel safer travelling in the general compartment only if I have a man accompanying me
Ripa Shah (28), Working
(Compiled by Roopal Jain)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
