Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma gave a fervent appeal to citizens from all walks of society to firmly oppose the dastardly attacks and sexual harassment on children and take a solemn pledge to end the social menace with an iron hand by supporting the police in this endeavour .
He was addressing thousands of school children of Hyderabad city who took out a rally from Peoples Plaza to Jal Vihar on Necklace Road on Wednesday to register their strong protest with a firm pledge to say “NO’ against sexual attacks on children.
Earlier, Telangana Home Secretary Ajay Mishra and Telangana brand ambassador and ace tennis star Sania Mirza flagged off the rally.
Later addressing the school children, Anurag Sharma hailed it as a great day when hundreds of them had gathered to record their protest against such heinous acts. He also called upon students, teachers, friends, relatives and intellectuals to publicly debate on the issue and spread awareness against the criminal trend. This battle is not to be fought by teenagers alone, but by entire society all the senior police officials here will be ever ready and available to help you and support you in fighting against the social malaise.
The moment on children suspect some attack is on them is happening or imminent in their surrounding areas, they should immediately call the toll free number 1098, he cautioned them.
Tennis player Sania Mirza said the children should be made aware of ‘good touch and bad touch ‘by strangers and even friends and relatives through proper counseling and workshops. They should alert family members, teachers and friends about such attacks and not hide in embarrassment or be scared of any threats .Media also should play a constructive role by exposing such heinous crimes and by protecting the identity of victims and their families.
A youth, Ganesh Nallari, told the audience that he had become a victim of sexual attack at his childhood and has not recovered from its shock. One should be cautious of good Samaritans who keep touching you everywhere and also advise to not tell anyone about it , he said adding that in such situations one should run away , escape from culprits clutches and inform teachers, parents etc., .
Prominent among those attended the rally and meeting were senior police officials Soumya Mishra, Swati Lakra and Kranti Rana Tata , Shailaja Ramaiyyar and Amrapali besides other senior police officials, NGOs, social activists etc.
———————–INN