Though the functioning of the entire Police Department is affected owing to the shortage of staff and vehicle, it is the women’s cell and helpline services that are most hit.
According to circle-inspector N Philomina, the functioning of the women’s cell and helpline is hit owing to the shortage of drivers. “We need at least four drivers for the smooth functioning of the cell. But, at present, we have only two,” she said.
And, this makes it hard to offer assistance to women who are in distress during night. “If a girl contacts the helpline of the women’s cell at night, we are unable to act owing to infrastructure inadequacies. This is because the service of the two drivers are available only during day time,” she said.
The circle-inspector added that the cell needed an additional vehicle.
“The vehicles we have here, except that of the circle-inspector, are outdated. There is no guarantee that these vehicles will take us to the destination,” she said and added that the police personnel were managing with limited facilities.
“We have to alert the nearby police station if anybody calls us for assistance during night,” said Philomina.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner T Gopalakrishna Pillai said the department has raised the issue before the state government. “The government is taking steps to provide adequate vehicles and staff to the department. We hope to provide all facilities to the women cell soon. New recruiters are provided driving lessons to overcome the shortage of drivers,” the ACP said.