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Asara village council in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh - 70 kilometres from New Delhi - introduced the bans to protect "naive" young men and women from corrupting influences, according to the Times of India and other newspapers.

The Hindu daily described the ruling as a "Taliban-style diktat" in its online edition, adding that Asara was Muslim-dominated. Other minorities were also present when the bans were introduced.

Keeping young women away from the market would protect them from "roadside Romeos," the Hindu quoted the council, while the ban on mobile phones reportedly came after complaints of "teasing" and "harassment."

But women's activists criticized the measures.

"Why are the restrictions on women only? Why doesn't the panchayat (council) stop men from visiting the weekly market instead of women?" Shaista Amber, president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board, was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

"If men are kept away, the atmosphere will be equally secure for women at the market," she said.

Police in the village said they were not yet aware of the measures, according to daily Hindustan Times.Authors: Can Merey, Helen Maguire

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Fri May 24 23:55:06 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 13, 2012

gaetswe

is this Miss India?
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Jul 13, 2012

Pointman

Without doubt, it was men who made this ruling. Against the law anyway - how are they going to implement.
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Jul 14, 2012

shaharazad

Calling all Indian women!! its time to jump ship and leave
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