The standoff between the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Delhi police escalated today as protests over the brutal stabbing of a teenager turned violent in the national capital, and AAP called for a special session of the Legislative Assembly on July 28 to discuss women's safety.
Last week, a 19-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed 32 times by two brothers for resisting harassment in the Anand Parbat market.
The class 11 student had complained about the two accused in 2013, but no action was taken against them, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told the media on Tuesday.
"This is a tragedy. There are a lot of tragedies going on against women in Delhi," he said. "If they complain then there is no inquiry."
The Delhi government, he said, is planning to set up a commission which would deliberate on how to tackle complaints effectively, and deal police personnel who are negligent or complicit in crimes against women.
AAP protest over Anand Parbat incident outside Anand Parbat Police Station. pic.twitter.com/xVXFwKUK0N
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 21, 2015
This tragic stabbing has provided impetus to the AAP government's bigger battle for full statehood which would allow it control over the Delhi police.
Speaking over the radio on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with the Delhi or hand over its reigns to the AAP government to ensure accountability.
"Sir, as you know, the Delhi government has no control over the Delhi police. As the country's prime minister, you have to run the country. No one has control over the Delhi police," he said.
Highlighting the recent stabbing case of the 19-year-old student, Kejriwal pointed out the lack of police presence in the Anand Parbat market on the day she was murdered.
"We will work with the public to improve the Delhi police," he said.
Following a meeting with Kejriwal on Monday, the Delhi police chief asked his fellow police personnel "to not pay too much attention to remarks made about them."
"The question of who should control the Delhi Police is a political issue. I can't decide on that," he said, NDTV reported. "I reiterate the system we have is a good system, the city has a professional police force that acts according to the law."
I am thankful to anyone who criticises me: Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi pic.twitter.com/2qKGV8ccjx
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 21, 2015
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