Maharashtra governor to raise women's safety issue

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan Saturday said he would take up the issue of safety of women with the state and central governments against the backdrop of the gangrape of a woman journalist in the city two days ago.

Sankaranarayanan assured a delegation of women journalists who met him in Raj Bhavan that he will raise the issue with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and enhancing women's safety in suburban trains with the railway minister.

The 15-member delegation of women mediapersons from Mumbai voiced their concerns on the safety of women.

The delegation recounted instances of harassment suffered by women while travelling on streets or in the suburban trains.

"We have strong laws to protect the life and liberty of the citizens. What we need is effective implementation of these laws," the governor said.

The delegation's meeting with Sankaranarayanan came in the wake of the brutal gangrape of a 22-year-old woman journalist in the abandoned Shakti Mills compound, Mahalaxmi, late Thursday where she and a male colleague had gone on an assignment.