With Navtratri around the corner, Ahmedabad’s Mahila Crime Branch is implementing robust security measures to ensure women’s safety. As many as 100 undercover female police personnel are set to patrol the city undercover during the nine-night Garba celebration.
Five teams, each consisting of five to six officers and staff, will monitor crowded areas throughout the night, Assistant Commissioner of Police Himala Joshi announced. These teams will switch out their khaki uniforms for traditional Navratri attire to blend in with festive crowds while maintaining vigilance.
“Our goal is to ensure that women feel safe and protected while enjoying the festivities,” Joshi said, adding that the teams will focus on high-traffic areas, with deployment based on crowd density in different zones.
“The area will be designated based on the maximum crowd, but it will be a moving bandobast rather than a stagnant one so that our team can cover as much of the city as possible,” Joshi said.
Other measures are also being taken to foster a balance between the festive spirit and vigilance.
The Mahila Crime Branch will keep a close watch on the 181 women’s helpline to provide swift responses to distress calls, and a She Squad from every police station in the city will patrol and maintain security in their respective area for the duration of the festival.
The police are also putting the onus of enjoying the festival responsibly on the public. Videos providing essential safety tips and precautions for women will be shared on social media and screened at major venues. These will “remind the public to respect others’ enjoyment and avoid any disruptive behaviour,” Joshi said. “Everyone has the right to enjoy the festival; they also have a duty to ensure that their actions do not affect the enjoyment of others.”