Hyderabad, December 5: In a bid to ensure safety of women, all female commuters travelling by Hyderabad Metro Rail will now be allowed to carry pepper spray with them for their safety. Reports inform that the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HRML) authorities in Telangana on Wednesday announced that female commuters taking metro trains will be allowed to keep pepper spray with them for self-defence. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the decision was taken after a 26-year old vet was allegedly raped and murdered on the outskirts of Hyderabad last week. Hyderabad Veterinary Doctor Rape-Murder: Accused Arrested in Horrific Crime Sent to 14-Day Judicial Remand.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail has decided to follow the steps of Bengaluru Metro by allowing women to carry pepper spray for their safety and be safe against any threat to their life. The HT report further quoted HMR managing director NVS Reddy saying that instructions have been issued to security personnel in a media communique to allow women to carry pepper spray for their safety. Reddy further added saying that queries have been raised over the decision of allowing female passengers to carry pepper spray in Hyderabad metro trains.

Previously, carrying pepper spray was not allowed in metro trains on the grounds of fire safety. The report further adds that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao held a meeting with several officers earlier this week to discuss measures to be taken for safety of women and children in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2019 02:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).