Fear still haunts Delhi women

New Delhi: Two months after the gang-rape of a 23-year-old, protests might have quelled but women in India's national capital say they still don't feel safe and are haunted by the horrific incident on that wintry night of Dec 16. Every woman in the capital has in some way relived in her mind the trauma of the young physiotherapist. And battled that nagging, subliminal fear that it could have happened to anyone, particularly a woman whose work or studies compel her to stay out late.

"If not her, it could have been me. I travel during late hours after my work. Putting myself in her position on that dreaded night when five men and one juvenile stripped her clothes off and raped her, left her battered and bleeding on the roadside...a chill runs down my spine," Neha Khanna, a journalist, told IANS.

"What would I have done... a sense of helplessness grips me as I wait alone everyday for autorickshaws near metro stations and walk out alone. My educational qualifications, economic independence, self defence classes and the pepper spray can may not be helpful... I know I can be a victim too, anytime," said Tanima Sen, a BPO employee. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chayya Sharma told IANS that there should be no fear psychosis after the Dec 16 incident as police vigil had been increased.

"As a woman living in Delhi, yes I feel safe...you come from other cities then you will realise it's true," Sharma said. Many women say they are unable to forget the incident and forgive the accused as their barbaric act put an end to the dreams of a girl, who belonged to a lower middle class family and was working towards becoming economically independent.