"Women should keep with them a packet of chilli powder and make use of it if attacked by anti-social elements," the police chief said while addressing a gathering of women students of local colleges at Dombivali yesterday.
Raghuvanshi's remarks came in the backdrop of rising number of attacks on women in the city, the latest being a murder of a 19-year-old youth allegedly over eve-teasing of a girl by four youths including minors.
"The women have had enough. It's time for them to act now. The women should learn self-defence and in case if anyone is seen to be misbehaving be it a known or unknown person they should inform the elders about the same," he added.
Raghuvanshi said the women should not let themselves overcome with shame in case they fall prey to any crime against them.
On security scene in Dombivali, he said more than 100 police personnel have been deployed to keep under check the crime against women. "Beat marshals are provided with modern communication devices for the purpose," he added.
