Crime against women highest in Bhopal’s posh areas

BHOPAL: The upper-class, posh areas of Bhopal, including Arera Colony, Chuna Bhatti and Kolar, witness more crime against women in comparison to other parts of the city. This startling fact has been revealed in a circle-wise analysis of crime against women by Bhopal police, covering the period June 1 to May 31.
The Habibganj police circle -- which includes Habibganj, Kolar and Chuna Bhatti thanas – saw the highest number of rape and sexual harassment cases.A total of 35 such cases were registered in the Habibganj circle in the first 150 days of this year -- which means every fourth day someone was raped and sexually harassed in this tony city area.
The Habibganj police circle includes localities like Char Imali and Arera Colony where top bureaucrats and businessmen reside. The figures are higher even when compared to Old Bhopal.
Coming a close second is Berasia police circle on the city outskirts. A total of 34 cases of rape and sexual harassment were registered in Berasia circle, which includes Berasia, Nazeerabad and Gunga police stations. Nishatpura police circle -- that covers Nishatpura, Gandhi Nagar and Chhola Mandir police stations – ranks third. In this densely populated old city area of Bhopal, a total of 30 cases of rape and sexual harassment cases were registered during the stated period.
Further, the Jehangirabad police circle has earned the dubious distinction of recording the highest number of cases of cruelty against women by her husband or kin. A total of 70 such cases were registered in the circle -- more than half of the total cases of cruelty against women by her husband and his relatives registered in Bhopal.
City superintendent of police, Habibganj circle, CM Dwivedi said prevention of crime like rape is “tough”. “Incidents of rape and sexual harassments are more in the slums areas of my circle”, he added.
The BJP MLA from Bhopal Central constituency, Surendra Nath Singh, said reasons behind crime against women in the Habibganj circle (which mainly comes within his constituency) must be analysed. “I will ask the superintendent of police to ensure better policing in the area. Strength of police force is also not sufficient and must be increased so that policemen can work more efficiently”, he told TOI.