Monday, May 2 2005 21:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In the wake of sexual harassment charges levelled by IAF officer Anjali Gupta against her superior officers, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee urging for a separate cell in the armed forces to deal with such complaints.

"Inducting women in the armed forces will also require that safeguards are built in for these women," NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said in her letter to the Defence Minister.

Wishing to know from the Minister what safeguards had been provided to women in the armed forces, she urged that a separate cell be formed to address the grievances of women officers.

Meanwhile, underlining the need for the inquiry into the sexual harassment charges levelled by Anjali to be carried out as per the 'Visakha guidelines', Vyas welcomed the inclusion of two women in the Court of Inquiry probing the charges.