(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Women in gujarat can now feel safer and will be able to protect themselves thanks to a gujarat police project to offer them expensive ?shock torches? at an affordable pric
Chief minister anandi patel who herself distributed such torches to tribal girls in dahod in central gujarat recently has ordered speedy distribution of the torches for use as a self-defence device when attacked or physically harassed by someone.The electronic shock torch used by the police during riots generates a high-voltage shock to stun a person much akin the shock batons used by them to curb mob violence. manufactured by an ahmedabad-based vendor the device has an output of over 1000kv and also generates a lot of sound to scare away eve-teasers and other mischief-mongers.Additional chief secretary (home) s.k. nanda told khaleej times that though the torch cost rs1300 it was being sold under the suraksha setu project for much less adding that it would be popular among working and college-going young women in the rural areas. “the torch won’t cause a major injury but the shock would be strong enough to give a good jolt to the eve-teaser. you just have to press a button. it is non-lethal.”At present the torches are available in seven of gujarat’s 33 districts but would soon be sold all over the state especially near schools and colleges.Social workers like narendra oza of rifle club who has been training girls in rifle shooting say that with atrocities on women on the increase in gujarat the torch project of the police would be a boon for many. though the gujarat police have taken several measures including recruitment of more women as law-keepers crimes against women are on the increase in gujarat especially ahmedabad with the state registering three rape cases everyday.In 2010 at least 418 women were abducted with incidents of crimes and domestic violence against women zooming to 11478 up from 10039 cases in 2009 and 10152 in 2008.According to a gujarat human rights commission report 2010 witnessed as many as 428 cases of rape 910 of molestation 21 dowry deaths and 6999 incidents involving physical and mental torture of women in different parts of the state.Social workers say gujarat has witnessed 2600 rape cases and six major cases of gang-rape in the past 10 years but only three people have been sentenced to death and 14 have been awarded life imprisonment so far.Mahesh?khaleejtimes.com for more news from khaleej times follow us on facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes and on twitter at ?khaleejtime
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