Caught on camera: Woman commuter harassed in Namma Metro

"The men threatened me in front of Metro security guards and officials."

BANGALORE: A cry for help ignored by staff whose task it is to ensure the safety and security of commuters. That is precisely what CCTV footage of the incident of a college girl being harassed by a gang of youth on a Metro train on October 12 shows.

"The men threatened me in front of Metro security guards and officials," said Prakriti Sharma, the victim in the incident. "I was shocked when the officials, instead of castigating the lewd youth, were only bothered about pacifying them and asking us not to make an issue of it. They later suggested I go to the police. I have given a written complaint to Metro officials as well." In their statement to the police on what transpired in the control room, the security staff of Byapanahalli Metro station corroborated the student's version that the goons did threaten her in front of them. In spite of it, the Metro officials did not summon the police.

That apart, footage of the incident obtained on Thursday clearly shows Prakriti and Veenu Albert, a good Samaritan who stood by Prakriti through her trauma, beckoning a Metro security guard for help, when the train stops at Vivekananda Road Station, but the guard refuses to help out. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd ( BMRCL) spokesperson, BLY Chavan, had told BM on Monday, by way of atoning for the inaction of the guard, that he "cannot leave the place where he has been deployed". If ever there was a blinkered approach, this is it. The duty of the guards, it appears, is solely to blow a shrill whistle every time a commuter crosses a yellow line on the platform. The women were left to weather the harassment the best they could.

When the two women— a heart-wrenching footage in which Prakriti is tightly holding on to the arm of Veenu — alight from the train at Byappanahalli station, Veenu again enlists the help of Metro staff. One of them refuses to help, pointing vaguely in the direction of an office, but another comes forward. This official then stops the youth, who are about to step on to the escalator. The four youth, the two women and the Metro official then get into an argument.

The boys are taken to the control room. Another 45-minute argument ensues, but Metro staff make no move to call the police. Police too sat on Pakriti's complaint for 10 days, but they are now the trail of the youth.

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