Ranchi: In the backdrop of the increasing criticism over the crime against women, state DGP M V Rao on Tuesday said the police will launch a WhatsApp number where girls and women can send complaints of sexual harassment.
Addressing the media, Rao said, “The number will be launched on Wednesday. A DSP-rank officer and a few policewomen will contact the woman soon after we received the complaint and take proper action while keeping her identity secret.”
He added, “Police will either give protection to the girl or take legal action against the accused if required.”
Explaining the reason behind launching the social media number, Rao said they found several girls and women were harassed or stalked before they were raped or murdered.
“If proper action was taken up at the right time, such crimes could be prevented. In a recent incident, a girl was raped but she was harassed by the accused persons for several months. Had proper action been initiated earlier, the girl could have been saved from the culprits,” the DGP said, adding, “No girl or woman should feel ashamed of complaining about a crime against her. They should immediately report if they feel insecure anywhere, be it at school or the streets.”
He further said police will ensure speedy trials in such cases.
The top cop also stressed on the role of parents in safeguarding their daughters and said they should not leave their children alone for a long time. “The parents must also protect their children from the darker side of social media,” he said.
Rao opined that parents should also consider their grooming part lacking if their sons were involved in such crimes.
On Maoists, the DGP said the activities of the rebels, including extortion, are on a sharp decline. “Other signs of their waning strength are divisions among the outlawed organisation and surrender by many of their cadres. The efforts of the Maoist leaders to lure migrants and labourers into their fold have not achieved much success. Moreover, 50 naxals have been arrested since September,” he said.
On the security apparatus for the upcoming bypolls, he said several check-posts have been set up at the inter-state borders and special patrolling is on to prevent movement of cash, liquor and criminals.
“In the past week alone, police seized 2,407 litres of country made liquor and 1,500 litres of foreign liquor from the border areas,” the DGP said.
Rao said preventing crime and making adequate arrangement for festivals will be a challenge for the police in the coming months. “Since business activities will be at their peak during the festivals, crimes like loot, theft and dacoity will rise,” he said.
He announced that the police department will honour eight martyrs on the Police Day which will be observed on Wednesday. As part of welfare activities for the personnel starting from Wednesday, the department will ensure their better mental health, Rao said. It may be noted that cases of suicides have increased in the force recently.
“Policemen have been asked to keep a watch on each other for timely redressal of problems. Moreover, group activities will be increased at the police lines,” Rao added.