Yogesh K Porwar
Nearly 60 help desks set up across Bengaluru under the Nirbhaya scheme have become largely inactive,with very few women approaching them.
The kiosks,meant to support women and children in distress,are reportedly functioning without female police personnel—forcing the deployment of male staff due to an acute shortage.
Taking serious note,the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner has issued strict orders directing that all help desks must be manned exclusively by women staff.
DCPs have been told to monitor operations closely and ensure compliance.
Fresh instructions mandate that all 60 women’s outposts under the Safe City Project remain fully operational.The directive follows reports of delays in assistance at some centres due to the absence of women officers.
The Neravu Mahila Kendras,located near schools, colleges,bus stands,railway stations and other busy areas,were created to offer immediate support to women facing distress.
Although guidelines issued in 2023 required women-only staffing,many centres were found non-compliant.
Under the revised orders,DCPs are responsible for staffing, maintenance and daily functioning of each kiosk.
They must ensure duty registers are updated,complaints recorded and routine checks carried out by beat staff and Hoysala patrols.
The Control Room DCP will track deployment twice a day and report cases handled.
Outpost staff must maintain vigilance,respond immediately to distress calls and coordinate with jurisdictional police in cases such as rape or kidnapping.
They must also ensure access to facilities like the Nirbhaya Integrated Support Centre and Sakhi One-Stop Centre.
Senior officers—including PIs,ACPs and DCPs—have been directed to conduct periodic inspections to strengthen accountability and streamline operations across all 60 centres.
