Udupi, July 19: Udupi Deputy Commissioner Muddumohan said,”Udupi district administration will frame special guidelines and norms for the protection of girls in the district.” He was addressing a meeting of various departments and experts to discuss about imparting protection to girls, at the DC’s office on July 18.
After considering all the suggestions and strategies, the DC said, “Consolidated regulations to achieve the purpose were the need of the hour.” He directed the principals of schools and colleges to identify girl students who arrive at school/college from rural areas and appoint a supervisor who should help them reach the bus stand. He also insisted on offering self defence training to the girls and improve the coordination between students, police and authorities.
“Information about the current stiff laws on sexual assault cases should be disseminated and awareness should be created among school and college vehicle drivers, conductors and auto drivers on the right way of behaving with students,” he added.
Litterateur Vaidehi strongly indicated compulsorily ban on telecasting of programmes on television that are obscene in nature and show women in bad light be imposed. Mobile phones should be banned in schools and awareness about harassment should be created among students in the form of skits and short stories, she suggested.
Several other suggestions were tabled and measures to be taken for protecting girls were seriously considered.
Zilla Panchayat Vice President Mamatha Shetty, ZP Chief Executive Officer Kanagavalli, Assistant Commissioner Yogeshwar, Additional SP Santhosh Kumar, officials from education department, women and child welfare department and heads and principals of educational institutions were present and contributed to the meeting.
