Bengal minister vows 24x7 women mobility, priority action on complaints

KOLKATA: (May 14) West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul has said the state government would ensure women can move freely at any time of the day, and that complaints lodged by them are treated by the police on a priority basis.

Speaking to reporters after taking oath in the assembly on Wednesday, Paul said CCTV monitoring would soon be introduced across civic bodies to ensure transparency and check corruption.

"Unlike suggestions put forward by someone (in the previous government), every woman should have the right to move out at any time. They cannot be barred from going wherever they wish. It is unfortunate if women are asked why they are outside after 8 pm," she said in an apparent reference to former chief minister Mamata Banerjee's alleged comments after the Durgapur Medical College rape incident.