Date:20/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/20/stories/2005122020650300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Prathiba's murder: NASSCOM highlights need for security

Special Correspondent

`It is unfortunate that crime against women is increasing'

Bangalore: National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) is shocked and dismayed at the tragic incident in Bangalore involving a young IT professional. On behalf of the IT industry, NASSCOM has conveyed its sympathy to the family of Prathiba who was raped and murdered recently.

NASSCOM said: "the gruesome murder highlights the need for safety and security, and for all concerned to take every possible measure to eliminate such crime. It is an unfortunate fact that crime against women is increasing, even as efforts are being made to bring about greater gender equality."

"The IT industry, as a major employer of women, is proud of its role in providing employment and opportunity to a growing female workforce. The industry has taken many steps keeping in mind that a large number of staff is women, and that the nature of work requires many employees - men and women - to work at night. Aware of their responsibility, companies continuously review their security practices, and NASSCOM has already initiated a process of putting together `best practices' in the human resource area, for adoption by all its members. "We are aware that warped, criminal minds will try to find ways of circumventing the protection and procedures already in place, and therefore, there is need to constantly devise `better practices.' Accordingly, any insights and learning that may arise from the investigation into this incident will also be incorporated in these guidelines.

"Today, an increasing number of people from many sectors, including factories, hotels, airlines, hospitals, media, utilities, etc., need to work at night, as we move increasingly to a 24x7 world. In this context, it is unfortunate that the crime situation in many areas is such that special precautions and care need to be exercised by people travelling at night.

As one of the industries that require people to work at night, we will continue working with the police, as also other organisations, to see how the safety and security environment can be improved.

We acknowledge the excellent work of the Bangalore police, the company concerned and others involved, in quickly nabbing the perpetrator of the ghastly crime. We hope that collectively we can make our streets safe and that personal security will no longer be an issue," a NASSCOM release said.