Andhra sees over 1.5 crore downloads of Shakti App launched for women's safety

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta said that state police have implemented comprehensive measures to ensure women's safety across the region.

According to the DGP, police have identified 900 hotspots statewide where crimes against women are frequently reported and have established continuous surveillance in these areas.

The Shakti App, launched specifically to enhance women's safety, has seen tremendous adoption with 1,52,16,440 downloads statewide. From these users, police received 11,60,146 emergency assistance (SOS) calls, with 34,192 categorized as requiring immediate response. These interventions have resulted in 3,193 FIRs being registered. Now available in both Hindi and English, the Shakti App can be downloaded from both PlayStore and iOS platforms.

To further strengthen women's security infrastructure, 164 specialized Shakti Teams have been formed under the leadership of an Inspector General-level officer. These teams conduct active patrols in plain clothes, focusing exclusively on women's safety throughout the state.

"In the past 10 months, courts have sentenced 169 accused individuals with stringent punishments in cases related to POCSO, dowry deaths, murders of women, rape, and gang rape. The Andhra Pradesh Police Department is giving top priority to the safety of women and girls. To curb organized crimes against women, a dedicated 'Women and Child Safety Wing' has been established under the leadership of IG rank officer Smt Rajakumari," said DGP Gupta.

Beyond emergency response, the Shakti app has facilitated 242 family counseling requests, 160 safe travel requests, and 18 reports related to missing children. The DGP emphasized that extensive community outreach has been a crucial component of the initiative, with 12,119 awareness camps conducted at railway stations, bus stands, public places, and rural areas, covering 17,665 locations.

Additionally, 254 individuals involved in "eve-teasing" have been identified and placed under constant surveillance. The DGP noted that new guidelines are being developed to instill greater respect among men toward women, adding that awareness about gender sensitivity should begin at school and college levels. He affirmed that legal actions are being vigorously pursued against violence, sexual assault, and harassment of women, alongside broader efforts to promote women's empowerment throughout the state.