Kochis rotten spots where danger lurks!

KOCHI: Behind the modern, urban mask of the city lies an ugly, scary face, it seems. A recent study report has pin-pointed ten busy spots in the city as insecure zones for women. According to a report prepared by the Centre for Gender Development and Ecology, Manjummal, the majority of crimes against women have been reported from these places.The ten areas cited in the report include Kisan Colony, KSRTC bus stand, Ernakulam South railway station, Kaarikkamuri, KSRTC-Ernakulam South railway station walkway, Kaloor, Palarivattom-Edappally stretch, the level cross near Amrita Hospital, Ponekkara and Chellanam-Manassery Road. A safety audit was also conducted at Thoppumpady and KSRTC-South Station walkway.The study was conducted with the support of UN Women, the international organisation for gender equality and women’s empowerment. As per the report, the places where the safety audit was conducted did not have sufficient number of street lights, making it a safe haven for miscreants. The study also reveals that a majority of the streets in the city are in fact danger zones for women, especially during the night hours.Meanwhile, deputy mayor B Bhadra said a special meeting will be convened on Sunday to discuss the steps to be taken to ensure the safety of the women in the city.