Indian PM reiterates safety of women highest priority

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday reiterated that the safety of women in this country was of highest priority, a day after the government ordered a judicial probe into the gangrape of a 23-year-old medical student on a moving bus in the capital last week. "The issue of safety and security of women is of the highest priority. No meaningful development could take place without the active participation of half the population. And this participation cannot take place if their safety was not ensured," the Indian Prime Minister said while addressing a meeting of National Development Council in the capital. Singh also urged chief ministers of all the states to pay special attention to the security and safety of women, saying that the government would review the laws in case of aggravated sexual assault. The prime minister had earlier this week assured strict action against the rapists of the Delhi University student and appealed for calm after hundreds of protesters clashed with police during the weekend over the government's failure to prevent rapes. The violent clashes led to the injuries of one policeman and over 100 protesters. Though all the six accused have been arrested, the government Wednesday set up a judicial inquiry commission to probe into the gangrape case and point out lapses, if any, on part of authorities and "fix responsibility".