In the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, about 24 police units comprising of only women personnel will be patrolling the city’s public transportation like buses to ensure women’s and children’s safety during their commute.
Kerala Police rolls out "Pink Beat" @ Trivandrum, deployed women police personnel on buses,bus stops,schools &colleges to ensure safety.
— Rajesh.R (@rajesh_karamel) June 1, 2016
The city’s Commissioner of Police, G Sparjan Kumar told Sputnik news agency that initially, the patrolling will be done during the peak hours from 8-11am and 3-7pm. The trial patrols will be carried out for a week, after which the forces would decide whether to press on with this innovative scheme.
The patrolling women officers will be constantly monitored by the Police Control Room. If there is any emergency call made by the patrolling officers, additional reinforcements would be sent.
Kumar told Sputnik: “For now, we’re planning that the women police would be moving from one location to another location constantly. They will be boarding a designated bus stop and will travel a specific distance every day in order to monitor any anti-social activities in the area.”
He added that the focus will primarily be on providing special protection for women, children and physically challenged people. Kumar insisted the police will not be in plain clothes but in uniforms to make the public realize they are under protection. Other public places such as schools, colleges and restaurants will also be patrolled to curb harassment and sexual assaults.
Kerala has recently been home to some appalling sexual assault cases including one in which a low-caste Dalit girl was brutally murdered.
Kerala gets special ‘Pink Beat’ force to ensure women’s safety.https://t.co/vBBLyW7CmL pic.twitter.com/ViZhA19tjj
— The Quint (@TheQuint) June 1, 2016
Pink beat because only men can be blue. Subtle stereotyping FTW. https://t.co/alPr03s9q1
— Priyanka (@autumnrainwish) June 1, 2016
