Shakthi Police Stations, app to enhance women’s security on anvil, says A.P. Home Minister

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to establish Shakthi Police Stations and bring Shakthi mobile application for effectively implementing women’s security measures in the State. The State government will ensure a dedicated budget for the purpose. The existing Women Police Stations are also likely to be converted into Shakthi Police Stations.

Interacting with The Hindu at the Telugu Desam Legislature Party Office at the Assembly in Amaravati on Tuesday, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said she would have a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu about the mobile app and the special police stations for enhancing women’s security.

Ms. Anitha alleged that the previous YSRCP government misled the public in the name of Disha Act, which did not even exist. The NDA government had been maintaining law and order, and put in efforts to reduce crime against women and children and use of drugs and ganja, she added.

The government established the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle) for preventing ganja and drugs’ smuggling in the State. Drug usage prevention teams would be formed in schools, colleges and universities, comprising student members, to tackle the menace in educational institutions, she said.

Further, the government had taken steps to prevent ganja cultivation in the State. Drone surveillance had been increased in areas suspected to be under ganja cultivation. In order to check smuggling of ganja from other States, movements of suspects were brought under a close watch. Technology was being extensively used in all the operations, Ms. Anitha said.  

Drone for each police station 

The Home Minister said that the government had been implementing a new policy, wherein each police station in the State would have at least one drone camera to effectively monitor crime spots. Each drone camera would cost around ₹3 lakh. Additional drones would be given to the district headquarters for use as and when required across the district, she added.