5-year-old rape victim stable; Responding well to treatment

Apr 21,  6:58 PM The condition of five-year-old girl who was raped in the national capital is stable. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, Medical Superintendent of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), Dr. D K Sharma said that she is responding well to treatment and her condition is stable after undergoing surgery. Dr Sharma said that there is no threat to her life though she is having mild fever. Meanwhile, protests continued for the second day in different parts of the national capital against the incident. Dozens of people laid siege to the police headquarters at ITO, demanding dismissal of Delhi Police Commissioner. Two police officials have already been suspended for negligence of duty in the case. AIR correspondent reports that 22-year-old Manoj Kumar, arrested in the rape case from Bihar will be produced in a court tomorrow. PM calls for collective work to root out depravities against women Apr 21,  6:19 PM Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has called for collective work to root out from the society certain depravities against women. Referring to gang rape incident in Delhi last December and the recent brutal assault on a little child, Dr Singh stressed on the need for vast improvements in areas related to safety, security and status of women in the country. Inaugurating the 8th Civil Services Day in New Delhi today the Prime Minister said that civil servants as leaders in the government have a greater responsibility to contribute to the social and economic empowerment of women. Dr Singh said that government has moved with speed in strengthening the law to deal more effectively with offences against women. Brutal rape of five year old girl in Delhi evokes wide spread condemnation Apr 21,  1:11 PM Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has assured action against policemen found guilty of trying to hush up the rape case of a five year old girl in Delhi. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, he said an inquiry has been launched to find out if there was any lapse on the part of police. The 25-year old accused in the case, Manoj Kumar has been brought to Delhi after his arrest in Bihar. The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued a notice to police asking it to explain why the parents of the five year old rape victim were harassed in the police station when they had gone there to register a case. The Commission also asked the police to explain the delay in registering the case. An official said that the Commission shall also ensure that the child gets appropriate compensation from the state for her rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the brutal rape case has evoked widespread condemnation. President Pranab Mukherjeee has called for urgent steps to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice. Vice President Hamid Ansari has expressed deep sadness at the incident. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has described the incident as shameful and the behaviour of senior police officers against protesting women as unacceptable. Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari has called for police reforms to check such incidents. Briefing reporters Congress spokesman Janardan Dwidi said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi wants that mere words will not be enough and stringent steps should be taken. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj has demanded capital punishment in child rape cases and those involving brutality and barbarity. Minister for Women and Chid Development Krishna Tirath has said that the people will have to give a serious thought to deal with such issues.  Parliament’s second phase of Budget Session to begin tomorrow Apr 21 The second phase of the Budget Session of Parliament begins tomorrow. AIR correspondent reports that the government will try its best to pass the important legislations pending in the Parliament. These mainly include Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill besides the Finance Bill and vote on several demands for grants. The NDA has decided to raise the issue of irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks on the first day itself. It has also appealed to all the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G Scam to reject the draft report of JPC entirely. AIR correspondent adds that the BJP is worried over the draft report which charges former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with knowingly causing losses to government exchequer. The issue of recent assault on the 5-year-old girl in Delhi is also likely to be raised by the political parties in Parliament. All-party meeting convened to ensure smooth proceedings in RS Apr 21 Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari today convened an all-party meeting to ensure smooth proceedings in Rajya Sabha in the remaining phase of Budget session of parliament. The session will begin tomorrow. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh along with senior members from various political parties. Programme on DBT scheme to be aired tomorrow Apr 21 The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly “PUBLIC SPEAK” programme tomorrow will bring you a discussion on "Direct Benefit Transfer scheme." This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies at 9.30 p.m. Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our studio on telephone number: 011-2331-4444.This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.