BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi wants long-term strategy for countering rape incidents

NEW DELHI: Concerned by the recent rape of a 27-year-old executive by a cab driver, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi today stressed the need for formulating a long-term strategy to prevent crime against women as "knee-jerk reaction" was not the solution to such problems.

"After the recent rape incident, we got to see several knee-jerk reactions, which is not the solution to such problems. We need a long-term strategy to prevent such crimes," Lekhi said here.

The New Delhi MP, who is also national spokesperson of the party, favoured self-defence training programmes for the city's women, saying that they need to be trained to tackle such types of situtations.

"Israel's women cannot easily be raped as they are well-trained in their self-defence and they know how to protect themselves. Training of self-defence can also be included in school curriculum or at college level," she said.

The BJP leader said that 'Raksha' App, launched by her for the safety of women, should be publicised so that every women could download it in her phone.

Meanwhile, the party today announced the names of eight candidates for Delhi Cantt. elections, which are to be held on January 11.

Scores of supporters of party councillor Meena Sharma from Delhi Cantt. also raised the slogans against the party and its city president Satish Upadhyay when Sharma was denied ticket at Delhi party office.

Protestors also threatened that they would not support the saffron party and accused the party leadership of ignoring "dalit" leader.

Amang the names of candidates announced today are Ravinder Tanwar, Rachna Kadiyan, Kavita Jain, Jagat Singh Lohia, Lalchand Mehraulia, Lt. Col. Narender Choudhary, Tanwir Dhama, Priyanka Chowdhary.