The Central Industrial Security Force announced on Saturday that women can now carry small knives in metro trains for their security. The decision was taken keeping in view about Bengaluru molestation case.

According to media reports, a senior CISF official stated that "while small knives were not a serious threat to security, women require them for their safety. Women will now be permitted to carry knives that are less than four inches long. We realised that small knife are not a threat to security but required by women for their protection."

The CISF added that even matchboxes and lighters will be allowed in all metro trains. However, only one matchbox or lighter is allowed per person.

However, reports stated that "CISF will maintain a register of the tools permitted, making it easier to contact the owner if necessary."

Notably, a CISF report from December 2016 said that "91 percent of the pickpockets held last year in the Delhi Metro were women. In 2015, the percentage was 93. The data also raises a pertinent question regarding the security of other passengers as now these pickpockets would also be permitted to carry small knives in the metro trains."

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BY M. DIVYA SRI