Drizzt
May 30, 2003, 03:36 PM
Lucknow women up in arms
Alka Rastogi
LUCKNOW, May 30
You tease the Lucknow lady at your own peril. With over 572 gun licenses issued to the fairer sex in recent days, you could get hit by a lot worse than just killer looks.
Police sources admit there has been a sharp rise in the number of arms licenses issued after the shocking daylight murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Fed up by increasing instances of violence in the city, more and more women in the city are looking to defend themselves against potential rapists, thieves and ever-teasers.
According to Satyendra Veer Singh, Superintendent of Police (Trans-Gomti area), the number of arms licenses issued to women in 2003 far exceeds last year's figures. And if Lucknow's crime rate is anything to go by, a further increase cannot be ruled out.
Women's organisations like 'Suraksha' are also doing their bit to encourage the gun-slinging trend. 'Blow out the brains on rapist and you send a clear message to all criminal elements in the city' is the mantra they are trying to propagate.
For the more faint-hearted, learning judo, karate and other self-defence techniques are an alternative to the artillery. "A woman of the 21st century has no business waiting for a knight in shining armour to rescue her. She should be capable of defending herself against any threat," says Sandra Fernandes, a college student.
In fact with a number of lady government servants also equipping themselves with arms and ammunition, there could be a certain legitimacy about carrying weapons for self-defence, agrees Navneet Saighal, District Magistrate, Lucknow.
Even Lucknow's Senior Superintendent of Police says crime against women would be reduced to a great extent if they were well prepared for any eventuality.
A cue for women in other parts of the country to go up in arms?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/919_266698,001800010001.htm
Alka Rastogi
LUCKNOW, May 30
You tease the Lucknow lady at your own peril. With over 572 gun licenses issued to the fairer sex in recent days, you could get hit by a lot worse than just killer looks.
Police sources admit there has been a sharp rise in the number of arms licenses issued after the shocking daylight murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Fed up by increasing instances of violence in the city, more and more women in the city are looking to defend themselves against potential rapists, thieves and ever-teasers.
According to Satyendra Veer Singh, Superintendent of Police (Trans-Gomti area), the number of arms licenses issued to women in 2003 far exceeds last year's figures. And if Lucknow's crime rate is anything to go by, a further increase cannot be ruled out.
Women's organisations like 'Suraksha' are also doing their bit to encourage the gun-slinging trend. 'Blow out the brains on rapist and you send a clear message to all criminal elements in the city' is the mantra they are trying to propagate.
For the more faint-hearted, learning judo, karate and other self-defence techniques are an alternative to the artillery. "A woman of the 21st century has no business waiting for a knight in shining armour to rescue her. She should be capable of defending herself against any threat," says Sandra Fernandes, a college student.
In fact with a number of lady government servants also equipping themselves with arms and ammunition, there could be a certain legitimacy about carrying weapons for self-defence, agrees Navneet Saighal, District Magistrate, Lucknow.
Even Lucknow's Senior Superintendent of Police says crime against women would be reduced to a great extent if they were well prepared for any eventuality.
A cue for women in other parts of the country to go up in arms?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/919_266698,001800010001.htm