Panchkula: To make city safer for women, police deploy female cops at 58 hotspots and 9 bus routes

Indian Express

17-05-2025

In a bid to prioritise women's safety, Panchkula Police Commissioner Sibash Kabiraj has ordered the deployment of female police personnel at all 58 identified hotspots and on nine major bus routes across the district.
The directive came during a high-level crime control and law enforcement review meeting held on Friday at the Commissioner's office in Mansa Devi Complex.
The meeting was attended by DCP Panchkula Himadri Kaushik, DCP Crime and Traffic Amit Dahiya, all ACPs, Crime Branch in-charges, traffic officers, and officials from various police departments. The agenda focused on improving crime prevention strategies, strengthening law and order, boosting women's security, and intensifying anti-drug efforts.
Kabiraj stressed that complaints must be acted upon within 15 days, and complainant feedback will be used to evaluate officers' performance. SHOs were instructed to take personal responsibility for every case under their jurisdiction.
In addition to bolstering women's safety, the Commissioner ordered the four law and order companies — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta — to stay fully alert with anti-riot gear and receive regular training. Special deployment of tear gas-trained units and SWAT teams will be ensured.
To support victims of crimes against women, especially under the POCSO Act, female officers at the inspector level will provide counseling from the initial stage of the investigation. Feedback from the victim will be actively monitored.
Emphasising modern policing, Kabiraj highlighted that smart work, alongside dedicated effort, is essential to effective crime control. He also issued orders for increased patrolling, strict vigilance on extortionists, monitoring of bail jumpers, and a crackdown on repeat offenders.
Meanwhile, under the campaign 'Drug-Free and Violence-Free – My Village, My Pride', the Commissioner directed police to identify drug addicts, provide counseling and medical help, and intensify operations against drug peddlers in all marked hotspots.
Further, police have been tasked with reducing incidents of vehicle theft and snatching through focused strategies and timely action. Officers and personnel have been warned of strict consequences for any lapses in implementing these directive