‘Shakthi’ team launched to ensure women safety in Visakhapatnam

A 35-member women ‘Shakthi’ team was launched in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Consisting of mobile women police, the team is expected to ensure safety in the city by keeping a check on crimes against women such as eve-teasing, molestation, bigamy, adultery and enticement of married women, girl/child abuse, dowry death and workplace harassment among others.

The 35-member ‘Shakthi’ team includes ASIs, head constables, police constables, and home guards. As mentioned in a brief note by the AP Police, the team has been provided with 5 cars and 20 two-wheelers, equipped with VHF sets, man-pack, Tabs for GPS tracking and Pepper Spray. The note further stated that the basic responsibility of the staff is to interact with girl students, working women and create awareness and a sense of safety among them. The constables would be in direct contact with the Police Control Room (Dial 100, 1090) and other Shakthi mobiles.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police AP Thakur, after launching the ‘Shakthi’ team, said, “In Visakhapatnam, there are many educational institutions and workplaces where women are working. Our primary concern is to ensure safety to women. The women-related issues can be reported to the team and the action will be taken accordingly.” DGP Thakur also informed that while the team will initially work from 8 AM-8 PM, their hours of operation might soon extend late into the night. The ‘Shakthi’ team in Visakhapatnam will be donning blue shirts and khaki trousers as uniform.

Reportedly, all the police constables of the ‘Shakthi’ team were given training in car driving, swimming, legal knowledge on crimes against women, communication skills and self defence for about a month.