Female cop is beacon of hope for women, minors

Ray of hope for women, minors

DCP Rama Rajeshwari is a woman with many responsibilities on her shoulders. Apart from heading Cyberabad SHE teams, an initiative to keep a tab on eve-teasing and women harassment, she is the nodal officer for Operation Smile, a special drive to trace and rehabilitate missing children. In an interview, Rajeshwari talks about the efforts that go into the SHE teams and Operation Smile, and her earlier stint in Maoist-infested areas.

Talk about your earlier experience in Naxal affected areas?

I was trained in Eturnagaram forests in Warangal district as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police. I had a brief stint in the elite Greyhounds as an Assault Commander before I was posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Jagtial where I initiated many women-centric programmes. I conducted free medical camps for the villagers residing in Naxal-infected areas. As a societal responsibility, I adopted a crime-prone Tarakrama Nagar village in Jagtial.

What are the responsibilities of heading the SHE teams and Operation Smile? Are you happy with the response?

It is a matter of great pride that 60 SHE teams are covering Cyberabad Commissionerate jurisdiction. But at the same time it is quite challenging. The public has commended the initiative and we have to continue to deliver. And, during the month-long Operation Smile campaign, we rescued as many as 200 children from the clutches of rowdy-sheeters and girls who had eloped and were victims of sexual abuse.

How do you intend to reduce crimes against women?

We have drawn up a five-pronged strategy, which is being extended to the entire Commissionerate. Fingerprints and personal data of offenders are collected and weekly attendance for counselling is ensured. Ten out of the sixty SHE teams will move exclusively in the IT corridor. The Public Safety Act is also being implemented to compel business establishments to install CCTVs at vantage positions in their premises and parking places.”

What do you attribute as the causes for the increase in the number of missing cases?

Most of the missing children are from economically weaker sections of the society. Verification of all children has been done at both registered and unregistered shelter homes and even NGOs. I agree there is a rise in the cases but then our ability to trace them is also very high.

How do you go about counselling the offenders?

Every Saturday, professional counselling is taken up in the CAW Cell. Cunselling is done in the presence of the kin of the offenders.

Why is that not many details are available on the official website, www.trackthemissingchild.gov.in?

We have directed the concerned officers to place the relevant data on children on the site immediately besides updating data. By:Victor RaoDCP Rama Rajeshwari is a woman with many responsibilities on her shoulders. Apart from heading Cyberabad SHE teams, an initiative to keep a tab on eve-teasing and women harassment, she is the nodal officer for Operation Smile, a special drive to trace and rehabilitate missing children. In an interview, Rajeshwari talks about the efforts that go into the SHE teams and Operation Smile, and her earlier stint in Maoist-infested areas.

Talk about your earlier experience in Naxal-affected areas?

I was trained in Eturnagaram forests in Warangal district as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police. I had a brief stint in the elite Greyhounds as an Assault Commander before I was posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Jagtial where I initiated many women-centric programmes. I conducted free medical camps for the villagers residing in Naxal-infected areas. As a societal responsibility, I adopted a crime-prone Tarakrama Nagar village in Jagtial.

What are the responsibilities of heading the SHE teams and Operation Smile? Are you happy with the response?

It is a matter of great pride that 60 SHE teams are covering Cyberabad Commissionerate jurisdiction. But at the same time it is quite challenging. The public has commended the initiative and we have to continue to deliver. And, during the month-long Operation Smile campaign, we rescued as many as 200 children from the clutches of rowdy-sheeters and girls who had eloped and were victims of sexual abuse.

How do you intend to reduce crimes against women?

We have drawn up a five-pronged strategy, which is being extended to the entire Commissionerate. Fingerprints and personal data of offenders are collected and weekly attendance for counselling is ensured. Ten out of the sixty SHE teams will move exclusively in the IT corridor. The Public Safety Act is also being implemented to compel business establishments to install CCTVs at vantage positions in their premises and parking places.”

What do you attribute as the causes for the increase in the number of missing cases?

Most of the missing children are from economically weaker sections of the society. Verification of all children has been done at both registered and unregistered shelter homes and even NGOs. I agree there is a rise in the cases but then our ability to trace them is also very high.

How do you go about counselling the offenders?

Every Saturday, professional counselling is taken up in the CAW Cell. Cunselling is done in the presence of the kin of the offenders.

Why is that not many details are available on the official website, www.trackthemissingchild.gov.in?

We have directed the concerned officers to place the relevant data on children on the site immediately besides updating data.

By:Victor Rao