Govt to seek suggestions from journalists on women's safety: R R Patil

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government would seek suggestions from the journalists for improving the safety of women in the state, Home Minister R R Patil, who is under fire following the gangrape of photojournalist here, said this evening.

Also, owners of deserted and disputed premises in the city would be asked to deploy security guards, Patil said.

Talking to a delegation of journalists, Patil said that journalists can make suggestions and recommendations to the government.

Patil further said that a committee will be set up to review the safety of journalists. It will consist of two representatives each from journalists' associations.

"The committee will have a meeting with the government every two months," he added.

Patil also said that police will launch a drive against the drug addicts, who are often found at deserted premises such as the Shakti Mills compound where the gangrape took place yesterday.

"We will also talk to the Urban Development Department of the state government and with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation about the disputed lands in the city which are deserted. After talking to UDD and BMC, we will direct the concerned persons, who own such lands, to deploy security guards there," Patil said.