The Hindu : Police helpline for women in distress

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Police helpline for women in distress

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR JUNE 22. In the wake of high incidence of crime against women in Karimnagar, the district police have decided to extend a helping hand to the distressed women by setting up a helpline called `Abhaya' (assistance), a round-the-clock telephone service.

If anyone notices an eve-teasing case or dowry harassment or other atrocities on women, he or she can just dial 98490-63333 (Abhaya service) for prompt action. This cell phone service has been provided free of cost by the Air Tel operators and will be kept at the Karimnagar Town CI's office. A register will be kept at the CI office to note the complaints which are lodged to the `Abhaya' call centre.

The `Abhaya' programme was formally launched on Sunday by the Superintendent of Police, R.S. Praveen Kumar. Incidentally, the Mahila maithri was also launched on the occasion. The women of Karimnagar town, comprising doctors, advocates, teachers, housewives, students and others were involved in it. Its role will be to educate women to use the `Abhya' helpline if they have any problem such as domestic violence, eve-teasing and dowry harassment. Besides, the Mahila maithri sangham will also counsel families. The CI, P. Venugopal Rao, will supervise the functioning of `Abhaya' helpline with the assistance of woman SI, Madhavi, and Mahila maithri members.

The Karimnagar district has gained notoriety in the State by recording high incidence of crime against women. The statistics reveal that during 2000, a total 10 dowry murders (IPC 498 A and 302) were reported, in 2001 the number was six and in 2002, it was 10. The dowry deaths (under section 304 B IPC) were 42 in 2000, 43 in 2001 and 46 in 2002. The number of abetment to suicide cases (IPC 498 A and 306) was 78 in 2000, 70 in 2001 and 51 in 2002.

Dowry harassment cases were 276 (2000), 323 (2001) and 370 (2002), the number of cases registered under Dowry Prohibition Act was 73 (2000), 52 (2001) and 147 (2002), rape cases were 62 in 2000, 55 in 2001 and 91 in 2002, the kidnap cases were 29 in 2000, 39 in 2001 and 47 in 2002, the outrage of modesty cases were 224 in 2000, 249 in 2001 and 350 in 2002 and bigamy cases were 23 in 2000, 34 in 2001 and 26 in 2002.

Mr. Praveen Kumar said the main aim of the `Abhaya' helpline was to reduce the domestic violence. "After receiving a phone call, we will register it in a book and take the necessary action accordingly. If we receive any eve-teasing call, we will despatch the Rakshak and Blue Colts team to the spot.''

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Police helpline for women in distress