With just 11 personnel, overburdened Damini Squad carries out 57 tasks daily

Nagpur: ‘Why is my molester out of jail within a few days?’, ‘You should accompany us to our colleges’, ‘What should we do if we are harassed or teased?’, ‘Why did the police come late after I called the emergency number?’ These are some of the common questions asked by young girls to the personnel of the Damini Pathak, which organises regular awareness programmes on women’s safety in schools, colleges, and other sensitive areas.
“The fear among girls is legitimate. Even in today’s times, there are several concerns among girls over safety,” said a senior female police official. However, the Damini Pathak, the special team appointed for women’s safety in public areas, seems to be overburdened.

Sources said the Damini Pathak seems to be overburdened, as it has only 11 women police personnel and three vehicles, but has to answer several emergency calls from women as well as carry out patrolling duties. “The Damini Pathak has carried out 57 tasks daily this year, including patrolling, organising events, and answering SOS calls,” said sources. According to official statistics, the Damini Pathak has carried out a total of 14,162 tasks assigned to it.
However, the team has carried out a whopping number of patrols in market areas (5,363 times), secluded places (1,318), gardens (2,983), bus stands (1,056), talkies, malls, and hotels (99). Interestingly, the Damini Pathak has only taken a single case of suo moto action in the last 8 months.
Damini Pathak in-charge PI Seema Surve said that one of the important things women should do is file police complaints. “It’s true that many women are still afraid to file police complaints, but it should be done anyway. If a woman files a complaint, then strict action can be taken against the molester or the harasser,” said Surve.
She added that women in need should at the earliest call 1091 and 112 to get 24/7 help. “Apart from this, Nagpur police is also running the Police Didi initiative, under which one designated officer and three women personnel from each police station have been appointed. The Police Didi creates awareness among girls and even shares their personal numbers and provides help to girls in their respective areas,” said Surve.
The special women’s squad also carried out 972 visits to schools, colleges, and tuition classes. The Damini Pathak also visits senior citizens’ homes, hostels, and organises awareness programmes for girls.
The shortage of police personnel in the Damini Squad is also concerning as the team cannot carry out more patrolling across the city with so little manpower.