Mamata for stringent laws against rape

Kolkata  :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday called for amending criminal laws to ensure stringent punishment for rape in the wake of the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim.

“It (crime against women) is a serious problem and I feel criminal laws are old and weak. Though amendment is a central subject, we will provide all cooperation,” she said.

“The centre must ensure that the culprits are severely punished. I feel there is a need to amend criminal laws and bring in more stringent punishment for the offence of rape,” she said.

“Though women are more vulnerable in rural areas, there is hardly any instance of rape in such places. But in urban areas, rapes and crimes against women have been rising.

“I feel society needs to be more responsible. The awareness level also needs to be increased so that such incidents do not recur,” she said.