GUNTUR: The Sabala programme, which was launched by the Guntur Rural Police, has been receiving a good response from women and girl students. The women police are conducting awareness campaigns in colleges for girl students as many complaints of eve-teasing and harassment are being received.
Twelve Sabala teams have been formed with 150 women police personnel under the leadership of Tenali DSP M Snehita, who is also its nodal officer.
The Sabala teams have identified 300 different problems faced by college and school girl students. The teams visited several educational institutions and enquire with students about the problems they are facing. Phone numbers of women police personnel were given to students, who could call them in case of harassment, the identity of the caller would be kept confidential, said Guntur Rural SP Appala Naidu.
Tenali DSP M Snehita said the initiative will boost the image of police and help curb growing atrocities against women. She asked the college managements to keep vigil on the happenings in classrooms and campus with the help of CCTV cameras.
The police department’s initiative 'Sabala' is boosting confidence in girls and women to take on eve-teasers and counter ragging and attacks.
Guntur Rural SP Ch V Appala Naidu said that women police, including officials and constables, were attached to colleges and educational institutions. These women cops are reachable to girl students.
Intensifying crackdown
College students now have police assistance within their reach as Guntur Rural Police have posted women personnel outside colleges
The women police organised over 1,000 awareness campaigns and interacted with nearly one lakh girl students
During the interactions, many have come forward and said they were harassed by male students who sent them objectionable messages, brought them presents and touched them without their consent.
Girl students are asked to file complaints on WhatsApp number 9440900866 or by dialling 100.
Auto drivers, too, are accused of harassing girl students outside the college campus.
Bharosa for women
In an effort to intensify measures to prevent attacks on women, Guntur cops have launched ‘Sabala’ initiative. The Sabala teams are conducting special programmes in schools and colleges, where the students were taught differences between ‘good and bad’ touch.