The Uttar Pradesh Police which had come under heavy criticism for the manner in which they dealt with the Hathras gang rape incident has now said that sixty security personnel have been deployed and eight closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the house of a Dalit woman to ensure the safety of her family members.
DIG Shalabh Mathur, who has been sent to Hathras from Lucknow as a nodal officer, told PTI that if needed a control room will also be established there.
"Sixty personnel, including women, have been deployed on 12 hours shifts for the security of the victim's family. A gazetted officer will also be deployed to monitor these personnel. With the help of CCTV cameras, the house of the victim will be monitored round-the-clock," he said.
Hathras Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Jaiswal said that a register of visitors is being maintained by policemen at the entry of the house.
Two security personnel have been provided to each family member and witness for their personal security, he said, adding that a team of fire department and two local intelligence unit personnel are also deployed there.
"At the main gate of the house, a metal detector has been installed and quick response teams are also in place. With the help of eight CCTV cameras, security is being ensured," the SP said.
The 19-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gangraped on September 14 following which she was admitted to the J N Medical College Hospital in Aligarh with serious injuries. She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on September 28 after her condition showed no signs of improvement.
She died the next day at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital where she had been brought for treatment.?
Ever since the incident, the local police had come under fire for its inaction and delay in arresting the accused.
The cops also faced heavy criticism after a hasty night cremation of the victim's body near her home, against the wishes of her family and allegedly locking them up inside their house,
Her family alleged that they were forced by the local police to hurriedly conduct her last rites. Local police officers, however, had said the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family".
There were also allegations that the cops have locked up the family members and had confiscated their phones to prevent them from talking to the media.
The state government has already recommended a CBI probe in the matter and quoting FSL reports, it has denied the rape charges.