Hyderabad:
The Andhra Pradesh government will set up fast track courts to try cases of rape.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy agreed to this proposal in the wake of the recent case in Cyberabad wherein a software professional 'Abhaya' was allegedly sexually assaulted by two men.
The Chief Minister reviewed the case at a high-level meeting here today and directed the police to take all steps to ensure safety of women employees, particularly those working in the Information Technology sector in night shifts.
He directed the Cyberabad police to step up security measures in the IT corridor, Outer Ring Road and surrounding areas.
Mr Reddy asked Chief Secretary P K Mohanty to constitute a committee to suggest immediate measures for the safety of women employees.
He also wanted the committee to come up with a long-term plan as well.
Among the short and long-term measures proposed were installation, maintenance and continuous monitoring of closed-circuit camera systems, visible policing, extra checkpoints in the IT corridor, colour-coding of taxis, registration of autos and taxis with the police and increasing public transport.
Mr Reddy asked the Chief Secretary to write a "reminder letter" to the Prime Minister requesting for funds for a comprehensive surveillance system for Hyderabad.
The Chief Minister has also asked the officials to expedite work related to the implementation of Public Safety Act, which was recently passed by the State Legislature.
He appealed to all sections of the society to take up an awareness campaign on safety and security measures, do's and don'ts since many of the women IT employees came from rural areas.
He also wanted an extensive campaign through electronic, social and print media besides awareness meetings in IT companies.
Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Botsa Satyanarayana, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Chief Secretary P K Mohanty, Director General of Police (in charge) B Prasada Rao, APSRTC managing director A K Khan and other top officials attended the meeting.