New Delhi, March 8
The celebration of the International Women's Day in the capital today was marked by an array of protests for women safety, seminars, exhibitions and colourful events. Students of the city-based universities participated in various activities. While students of JNU marched hand-in-hand with womens’ organizations from Mandi House to Parliament this morning, demanding implementation of the Justice Verma Commission report, students of Jamia Milia Islamia concluded its three-day festivities for the occasion which included seminars, talks, movie screenings and workshops.

Hundreds of students participated in the march organised by a coalition of several women's groups under the banner of "Centenary Celebration Committee". "Our main demand is a law based on the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee," said Kavita Krishnan, member of the All India Progressive Women's Association.

The Committee was formed by the Central government after the rape and death of a 23-year-old girl in December 2012, to review laws on violence against women.

"Violence against women is at its peak in India and it rests firmly on gender-based discrimination right from the birth weather in education, health or freedom. They just do not have the same opportunities as men, and they are often not aware of their potential. Many are forbidden from leaving the periphery of their house without a male chaperone, or are forced to leave education to get married. And for widows, life is a constant battle. The rape of a student on a Delhi bus encouraged women to stand up, allowing them to fight for change. Street protests in Delhi and across the country, demanding an end to violence against women since the attack in December have changed the way many women in India. This year on the International Women's Day, we convert our outrage into action. We will ensure a violence-free environment for all women," said Priyanka Desai, a student activist from JNU.

The students' political outfit, the ABVP conducted a bravery award ceremony for the girl students with outstanding contribution from DU, JNU and Jamia. In a women-friendly initiative, easycabs, the radio taxi service announced free rides for women passengers all weekend long to Select City Walk mall at Saket. 

New Delhi, March 8
An unruly crowd allegedly attacked an enforcement team of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) in Pochanpur, a predominantly rural area of Najafgarh, yesterday. The stone pelting by the assembled crowd resulted in the injuries to a senior BRPL official and a police constable.

A team the BRPL was accompanied by 15 police personnel, including five women constables and an additional SHO. The team was undertaking "sprucing up" exercise and power-theft control measures in the area.

Pochanpur has aggregate technical and commercial losses of around 70 per cent due to incessant power thefts. During the raid, two cases of direct theft and three cases of meter tampering were booked by the enforcement team. During the raid, a resident, Sanjay, was booked for power theft.

"Sanjay gathered a mob of 15-20 persons and started insisting that the removed (tampered) meter be re-installed. When this was not done, they manhandled BRPL team members and pelted stones on them. In the ensuing melee, senior manager of the BRPL Suraj Azad and a police constable sustained injuries. The BRPL has filed an FIR under various Sections of the IPC," said the official.