Date:28/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032814930100.htm

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Plan to check sex-selective abortions

S.S.Kavitha

To check sex selective abortions in Madurai, says Police Commissioner

FOR THE WOMEN: A. Subramaniam, Commissioner of Police, speaking at a training programme in Madurai on Tuesday. — Photo: G. Moorthy

Staff Reporter

MADURAI: A special squad comprising personnel from Departments of Health, Revenue and Social Welfare, along with police personnel, would be formed to check the misuse of technology for `sex selective abortions' and `gender determination,' A. Subramaniam, Commissioner of Police, said here on Tuesday.

Addressing a "Training for trainers" programme organised by Campaign Against Sex Selective Abortion, Mr. Subramaniam said that Fatima Rohini, Inspector of Police, would head the 10 police personnel, who would be part of the squad. It would monitor infertility and scanning centres that "literally kill foetus and deny the birth right of girl children" through gender determination. Surprise raids would also be conducted. Officials from the Health Department would provide technical support and the police would penalise violators. "Police personnel will be empowered to act on the technical report endorsed by the officials of other departments in the squad."

He also noted that if the squad members encountered opposition from any of the scan and infertility centres, the Commissioner would lead the raid.

"Though abortion is legalised, action will be initiated against the centres that misuse technology, either based on evidence or complaint," he said.

A survey would be conducted at the villages in Madurai district to monitor the incidence of female foeticide and gender determination.

The practice of female foeticide had come down drastically but sex selective abortion rate had increased manifold.