02.23.07
Indian Policewomen in Liberia
From the BBC, 31 January 2007
Liberia gets all-female peacekeeping force
by Will Ross
BBC News, Liberia
The troops’ presence could help reduce women’s sexual exploitation |
A unit of United Nations peacekeepers with a difference has arrived for work in Liberia – they are all women.
More than 100 female peacekeepers from India are there to work as an armed police unit to help stabilise Liberia which, after years of war, is trying to rebuild its own police force from scratch.
Stepping off the chartered plane in immaculate blue uniforms and berets, the 103 women were immediately on parade and probably bewildered by the media frenzy.
It is just a coincidence that the first all-female peacekeeping force is in Liberia, the first African country to elect a female president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Crime is high especially in Monrovia and the war has left a degree of violence simmering just below the surface.
Terrible reputation
But having served in turbulent areas, including parts of northern India, the commander Seema Dhundiya says they are well prepared.
“These girls are experienced and have been trained. They have worked in areas of India where there was insurgency. They will do a good job and the Liberian ladies will get motivated and inspired to come forward and join the regular police.”
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The UN mission in Liberia, which will cost around $750m this year, is helping rebuild the country’s police force from scratch.
During the 14-year war, the police were involved in the fighting and were steeped in corruption. Having acquired a terrible reputation it is now hard to persuade women to consider the police as a career.
The aim is for 20% of the force to be women. But reaching 6% is currently a struggle, partly because of the police’s image but also because of the low educational standards of many women.
The UN is now running a special educational programme for women wanting to join the force.
02.22.07
Missing Children in Bangalore
From the Times of India, 18 February 2007
4,500 children go missing in Bangalore
BANGALORE: Over 4,500 children have gone missing in high-tech Bangalore during the last two years. In 2006 alone, the number of children, who went missing was a whopping 2,316, making Bangalore the city, with highest number of missing children in Karnataka.
An assessment done by the state home department of missing persons has thrown up these shocking figures. Sample this: Of the total of 3,264 children who went missing in 2005, 2,208 were from Bangalore. Similarly, of the 3,631 children who disappeared in 2006, as many as 2,316 were from the city.
“It is surprising that children are missing from Bangalore instead of disappearing from the districts. It is understandable, if the high numbers were in districts because Bangalore is the destination for employment and they may have migrated from smaller towns. We only hope there is not a repeat of the gruesome Nithari in Karnataka,” sources said.
Workshop in Bagalkote
Dates: 1st February to 3rd February 2007
The 3-day training workshop organised for Police personnel of Bagalkote district was a great success, particularly because of the commitment and support of the SP, Mr. Ramesh Harihar, and his team.
Bagalkote has 19 police stations; there were 1 male HC and 1 male PC from each of the 19 Police Stations (PS). The only 2 Women ASIs in the district were deputed along with 8 WHCs and 12 WPCs. A total of 60 police personnel participated in the workshop, except for the few who were from Bagalkote town arrangements were made for the police personnel who came from the other police stations in the district.
Mr. Ramesh Harihar, SP (Bagalkote), inaugurated the workshop. The Dy. SP (District Armed Reserve), Mr. Jewergal (Police Inspector), Mr. Papanna (Police Inspector) and Mr. Srinivas (District Information & Publicity Officer) were also present at the inaugural ceremony. In his address to the participants, the SP said that women come to the police station as a last resort and very often go away feeling dejected because of the manner in which they are treated. Most often the sentry on duty does not let her in or she is made to sit outside the police station as asked to wait for the Sub-inspector who has gone out. He asked the police present to take personal interest in each case, in the same way in which they would call a neighbouring police station and request the officer present there to take personal interest if it were a relative or someone they know going to that station. He ended on the note that after this workshop, each of the officers present at the workshop should be able to change not only their attitude but also the manner in which they handle cases of women and children.
02.08.07
The `acid test’ and government regulation of deadly chemicals
From The Hindu, 5 February 2007
The ‘acid test’: will Government regulate sale of deadly chemicals?
Bageshree S. and M.V. Chandrashekhar
About 60 cases of acid attack have been reported since 1999 in Karnataka
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NARRATING THEIR STORY: A file photo of acid attack victims at a public hearing in Bangalore.
Bangalore: When we ask for a litre of acid, the person behind the counter of a chemicals shop at Raja Market in the heart of the old city casually enquires: “For what purpose?” We tell him it is for cleaning paint stains in a new building. He measures out a litre from a big barrel into a bottle. A sniff from the bottle’s cap bores through our nostrils. It is hydrochloric acid (HCL) and the fumes that waft above the liquid suggests that it is concentrated and deadly. The barrel from which it comes has neither the name of the acid or its level of concentration.
