Women not safe in Delhi, says Sheila Dikshit

A day after a man brutally assaulted a young girl who resisted rape attempt, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Wednesday targeted Delhi Police once again, saying women do not feel safe here and "fears have risen" following the incident.

"Women don't feel safe in Delhi. There is no feeling of security. What had happened yesterday in Lajpat Nagar is shocking. Fears have risen after the incident," Dikshit said when asked to comment on the incident.

In yet another shocking incident, an electrician allegedly assaulted a young girl brutally in South Delhi's Lajpat Nagar by shoving an iron rod into her throat when she resisted his attempt to rape her. The girl, a college student, was alone at home when Anil Kumar, 26, had forced his way into the house and tried to rape her.

Police arrested the man on charges of attempt to murder and rape while the girl is admitted to a private hospital where her condition was stated to be critical. The incident came less then two months after the December 16 gang-rape of a 23-year-old which had triggered massive public outrage across the country.

Dikshit said her government would do everything possible to address safety concerns of women. A number of steps have already been taken in this regard, she said.

"When we talk about security, we know police is there. But there is no satisfaction about security which should be there," the chief minister said.

"My government will do everything possible to provide a conducive atmosphere for women in the city," she added.

Dikshit had been critical of functioning of Delhi Police and demanded the resignation of Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar in the wake of the gang-rape incident.

Delhi government had last week sent a letter to Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde accusing the police of "completely deviating" from its core duties and "trivialising" the issue of safety of women. The Delhi Police functions under home ministry and reports to Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna.

Reacting sharply to Dikshit's comments today, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat criticised her, wondering what the chief minister was doing to instill confidence in women.

"She (Dikshit) is admitting that women are not secure in Delhi. Then what is her responsibility as chief minister? Where is the principle of accountability"? said Karat.

"Women security issue has become a political football between the state and central government. The chief minister blames the police. The central government defends the police. This is what is happening in Delhi. I think it is a shame," Karat said.