Additional C.P. (Crime & SIT) has said the program of SHE teams was launched on October 24 with the aim of curbing eve-teasing in all aspects, in all forms, at all places, providing safety and security to women in the society, facilitating healthy environment for women’s mobility thereby building up confidence in women to fulfill the Telangana Govt’s commitment of safe and secure Hyderabad City to women.
Since the launch of the program, 100 teams were formed each consisting of one sub-inspector, one assistant sub-inspector/Head Constable, two police constables and one woman police constable, one of them carrying a discrete camera with them. All will have mobile phones with video recording facility. The teams are directly monitored by Addl CP, Crimes, Hyderabad with the assistance of the DCP, DD, Addl DCP, DD and one woman DySP SHE Teams drawn for the purpose of this specific task.
A Plan of action was chalked out based on three main factors. They are: Places like bus stops, railway stations, colleges, schools, hostels, shopping malls, cinema theatres, parks, crowded areas where eve-teasing is prevalent. Means of transport like city buses, MMTS and sharing autos where eve-teasing goes unnoticed. Filming of girls without their knowledge, touching girls or women as if he is boarding the bus, nude comment, approaching women and asking for sexual favours.
Modus Operandi followed by She teams is that the teams move in civil dress on different timings and different areas. The main task is to first identify/observe the eve teaser/stalker, record his actions, then catch him before the public. Publicity is done about the movement of the SHE teams program, its objective using banners, posters etc. Publicity is also done regarding the penal provisions, punishments. The teams also enquire if any one faced eve teasing in order to nab the accused. Cases are booked depending on the gravity of the offences ranging from Hyderabad City Police Act / Petty Cases to Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act Cases). The list of hot spots are collected police station wise, analysed and teams are given specific task to cover the hot spots everyday route wise. Some of the teams are meant to cover means of transport like buses, MMTS, autos etc. Some teams are sent to colleges, hostel, colonies etc. Women are encouraged to give information regarding harassment over Dial 100. MMTS trains in main routes covered
Colleges, Hostels, Parks, shopping Malls, bus stops, railway stations and all crowded areas are covered.
In all 40 offenders were caught till now, 40 petty cases booked. Among them 10 are minors/juvenile in conflict with law most of them studying intermediate and 2-3 persons are doing mechanic works, who are counseled along with their parents and made to give them attendance once in a week. Person from the age group of 16-68 are involved. Most of the stalkers belong to middle class and lower middle class doing menial works. Irrespective of their age and nature of offence, all the stalkers and parents/relatives were counseled by the officers not to repeat such offences in future. The teams are conducting awareness campaign wherever they go by showing posters etc regarding She teams and Anti Eve Teasing. (NSS)