Indian-controlled Kashmir to soon have all-women passenger vehicles

Indian-controlled Kashmir will soon have all-women passenger vehicles in the two state capitals - summer capital Srinagar and winter capital Jammu.

This was announced by its first female Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba said at a function in Jammu Friday that her government will soon introduce the all-women passenger vehicles as female passengers often become victims of sexual harassment in public transport as men of all ages try to touch them inappropriately.

"A woman is not safe, when she boards a matador or a bus, men from the age group of 15 to 70 try to touch her indecently. These men touch the woman inappropriately with their elbows, it's a torture that a woman travelling in public transport has to go through everyday," she said.

The chief minister added: "So our government has decided to ply all-women passenger vehicles. Some have already been introduced in Srinagar, while more would be introduced there, and they will be introduced in Jammu as well."

Mehbooba said her government will also offer 50 percent subsidy to the female students of two colleges of Jammu and Srinagar so that they can purchase a two-wheeler." The aim is to put the female in a controlling situation where she is free to go wherever she wants," she said.

(APD)