India police advise women on tactics for self-defence

New Delhi: After the sensational murders of IT executive Jigisha Ghosh and journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, police have suggested that women wear high heels to work, carry heavy bags, and use both to hit would-be assailants below the belt.

These self-defence tips are being sent to firms, especially those like media houses and BPO companies that have a large number of women working till late at night.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast Delhi) Shalini Singh recently made a presentation on security of employees at the Gurgaon office of leading IT solution company Wipro.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of 10 other BPO companies.

"I advised women to use their clothes, hand bags and perfume as a weapon of self-defence. They can use their high heels to put their foot down, spray perfume in the eyes of criminals and strike them hard with their bags," Singh told IANS.

"Woman can also hit below the belt in case of trouble. All these measures will help women buy some time and flee from the spot," she added.

Singh also handed women employees small tips like keeping emergency number 100 on their speed dial list and not to speak on the phone while walking on the road.

Women should also stand with their backs to the wall, so that they can keep a tab on their surroundings, she said.

"They can also inform their family or friends before starting for home from their offices. These are little things which one tends to ignore in day-to-day life but can really help in the long run," she said.

She also suggested women not carry large amounts of cash with them.

The police reaction comes in the wake of the robbery and murder of IT executive Jigisha Ghosh last month.