PSI Pooja Gangane of Nagpada Police Station who is in charge of Nirbhaya Squad addressed students, faculty and staff online about ‘Nibhaya Squad’ which has been created by Mumbai Police against the backdrop of the recent Sakinaka rape and murder case. This event was organized on Tuesday, 5th October 2021. The top brass of the Mumbai police has decided to create a dedicated ‘Nirbahaya Squad’ in every police station to prevent crimes against women. The women safety squad would be on regular patrolling duty and would constitute a lady sub-inspector, a woman constable, a male constable and a driver. The squads will work to prevent the cases of harassment of girls, women and children.
Ms. Pooja Gangane spoke about Do’s and Dont’s and self-safety measures to be taken by women, she also spoke about alertness required in citizens overall. Ms. Gangane answered questions raised by students and staff.
She informed the audience that a lady assistant commissioner of police or an inspector level lady officer in each of the five regions would be the nodal officers who would supervise and review the functioning of the Nirbhaya Squads. The squads will also gather intelligence of any wrongdoings in children homes, orphanages, hostels, etc.
The squads have also been entrusted with the responsibility of creating awareness about the stricter provisions and harsh sentences prescribed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, mainly in slum areas that witness a maximum number of POCSO cases in the city. This includes dense slums of Cuffe Parade, Kurla, Antop Hill-Dharavi, Malwani, Bhandup, etc. Such awareness would help cops prevent sexual crimes against minors.
The faculties felicitated Ms. Gangane and her colleague Ms. Sunita Kamble – constable. This event was organized under ‘Alert Mumbaikars’ programme.