Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, There have been reports over the last few days in certain sections of media about the Women Armed Special Protection Squad (WASPS) losing their significance, particularly in the Malwa.The Punjab police has clarified that the news items regarding insignificance and ineffectiveness of Women Armed Special Protection Squad (WASPS) published in a section of media are incorrect and not based on facts. Contrary to these media reports, a comprehensive review of the functioning of these scooter and motorcycle borne All-Women Mobile Police teams, which were launched in major cities and town of the State in April 2013 has revealed that there has not been even a single reported incident of eve teasing of WASPS anywhere in the State. Presently, 15 All-Women Mobile Police teams are operational in Amritsar, 20 in Ludhiana, 15 in Jalandhar, 10 in Patiala, 10 in Bathinda, 3 in Sangrur, 6 in Gurdaspur, 10 in Ferozepur, 8 in Muktsar, 10 in Moga, 11 in Fazilka, 10 in Mansa, 9 in Faridkot, 10 in SAS Nagar. These teams which were specifically assigned the task of instilling sense of security amongst school and college going women/girls by deploying such All-Women Mobile Police teams at women colleges, schools, coaching centers, co-ed colleges, girls hostels, working women hostels and busy markets have proved to be highly effective in providing a safe living and working environment and preventing violence and harassment against women. In Amritsar, a fleet of 15 WASPS Activas’ is being operated by 35 lady constables, which covers 20 schools and 16 colleges. After school hours, these teams are being deployed near Coaching centres and Shopping areas/bazaars. The review has also revealed that offences such as eve teasing, molestation, stalking of women and chain snatching etc have gone down considerably over the last year-and-a-half since the All-Women Mobile Police teams became operational in the State.
To make these All-Women Mobile Police teams more effective, it had now been decided to integrate the PCR motorcycles, and even four-wheelers (in certain cases), with All-Women Mobile Police teams, depending upon the local needs and requirements.
It has also been decided that the SHOs would personally patrol vulnerable women educational institutions, coaching centres, girls hostels, working women hostels and busy markets/bazaars.
In addition to the above initiatives, 181 Police Helpline is also working round-the-clock to provide support and assistance to various kinds of distress calls by women. During the last 15 months, about 52% of the complainants on the Helpline (40724) were women, who called to report domestic violence (7382 cases), dowry related harassment (3755 cases), obscene calls/SMS (2285 cases), rape and rape attempt (852), eve-teasing (638) and sexual harassment (265), and obscene calls/SMS and stalking. All these cases were given top priority, and were dealt with due sensitivity and care. About 81% women callers have reported their satisfaction with the working of the helpline after their issues were resolved effectively in a time bound manner. Efforts are being made that women related cases are handled mostly by women police officers. More than 1111 women have already availed of counseling services being provided 24×7 by trained counselors and clinical psychologists available at 181 Punjab Police Helpline.
The Commissioners of Police and SSPs have been directed to personally supervise these arrangements to instill a sense of security in school/college going girls and as well as in women and also to prevent any offensive against women.
