Chandigarh, October 12
Rape horror continues to shame Haryana and bring more embarrassment to the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government. Even as the Chief Minister was fine-tuning a strategy to check crime against women with his top officials, two more rape cases were reported today. While a married woman was raped at Jalalana village in Sirsa, another fell prey to assailants at Bhuna in Fatehabad.

In an apparent bid to salvage the image of the government, which is also mired in controversy over alleged shady land deals, the Chief Minister called

a meeting of his senior officials, including the IGPs and police commissioners, to review the crime situation in the state.

Hooda announced a special cell, headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) K Selvaraj, to exclusively monitor cases related to crime against women.

The special ADGP would report to the Director General of Police, who would forward the report to the Home Secretary on a weekly basis. Besides, the ADGP would visit all districts to ensure effective monitoring of investigation and prosecutions in such cases. He would also ensure that the criminals involved in earlier cases were prosecuted, official sources said.

A statewide single- number helpline for women to report crime against them would also be set up. Hooda said the police would be empowered to avail the services of special prosecutors so that those involved in crime against women get stringent punishment. At district level, either a woman Deputy Superintendent of Police or a woman Inspector would be posted to facilitate the women in getting their complaints lodged. The Chief Minister directed that the SPs to fix a specific time to meet mediapersons on daily basis for effective communication with the public.

Hooda approved a proposal to recruit public relations officers who will be attached with SPs, IGPs and the DGP. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has already been requested to transfer rape cases to the fast-track courts in different district, Hooda added.

The Congress distanced itself from the statement of party leader Dharambir Goyat that “90% rape cases involved consensual sex”. “It’s Goyat’s personal opninion. The Congress does not share his viewpoint," Hooda told reporters.