Date:27/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/27/stories/2003112703220300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

SP calls for `dowry-free society'

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUPATI Nov. 26. The Superintendent of Police, M.V. Ramachandra Raju, has underlined the need for the citizens to move towards a dowry-free society.

Addressing the Mythri groups, women and youth drawn from the Tirupati and Srikalahasti sub-divisions here on Wednesday, observed as "Anti-dowry day'', Mr. Raju noted that the anti-dowry law in itself was no deterrent to the perpetrators despite the best efforts by the Police Department to curb the menace and sought the help of the public in this endeavour.

Dubbing the Mythri system as a `joint venture' of the police and the public Mr. Raju wanted the members to act as a bridge. Maintaining that 99 per cent of the people needed only `basic policing' the SP asked his men to crack down only on the 1,000 hardcore elements and 20,000 petty criminals identified in the district.

Sivaramamurthy of Gandhian Academy, an NGO, spoke on the need to shed the `plus and minus' attitude in the public referring to male and female children, while Rajyalakshmi, a teacher in social work, SP Women's University, wanted improvement in the financial status of women as it was the only remedy for the malady. He also sought strengthening of women's self-help groups. Mythri members were administered a pledge on desisting from giving and accepting dowry.

The Tirupati Additional SP, S. Chandrasekhar Reddy, and other police officials were present, while many senior cops from Srikalahasti sub-division were absent.