Centres with medical, legal aid for rape victims soon: Maneka

Fatehgarh Sahib (Pb): The Centre will set up special centres for rape victims in every district of the country to provide medical as well as legal help to them, Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said on Sunday. [caption id=“attachment_1552395” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Union and Child Development Minister Menaka Gandhi. AFP[/caption] Talking to reporters on the recent rape and murder of two girls in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun, Gandhi said the central and state governments should take necessary steps to stop such incidents. She said her ministry would set up the special centres in every district of the country, so that rape victims do not need to run here and there to seek justice. A one-stop centre will be made for them which will not only counsel the victims, but will also provide legal help in case anyone needs, she said. In addition, Gandhi said, a special helpline will also be started to tackle the cases related to crime against women and children. The minister, who is on a visit to religious places in the state, also interacted with Fatehgarh Sahib sub-divisional magistrate Pooya Sayal Grewal and Anita Preet, the District Programme Officer for Women and Child Development. Gandhi on Sunday visited the dera of Sant Baba Ajit Singh Hansali wala at Hansali village, and of Baba Ram Singh Ganduan wale at Ganduan village in Fatehgarh Sahib district. She had on Saturday visited the dera of Sant Baba Nirmal Singh at Dugri village near Malerkotla. Meanwhile, local Anganwari workers protested when local police officials did not allow them to meet the Union minister. PTI