In a bid to boost women's safety, Udupi DC launches Akka Pade in the district

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa TK termed ‘Akka Pade’ as one of the most ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s safety and empowerment in the district.

Speaking after formally launching the programme at the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises, she said the initiative has been designed to provide immediate assistance to women in distress and to act as a preventive mechanism against crimes such as harassment and eve-teasing.

DC Swaroopa said the programme would encourage women to approach the police without hesitation and help create a safer public environment. A dedicated team of four trained home guards, supported by police personnel, has been deployed. The team will operate in two shifts, ensuring round-the-clock availability. Any woman facing difficulty or threat can directly approach the team for assistance, she said.

Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said the concept of deploying home guards for women’s safety was introduced on an experimental basis in 2020. He noted that the personnel are trained jointly by the police department and the Women and Child Welfare Department to effectively handle emergency situations involving women. The patrol vehicle used under the Akka Pade initiative is equipped with a wireless communication system. In the event of distress calls received from women, this vehicle will be dispatched immediately even before the 112 emergency response team, the SP said.

While the initiative covers the entire Udupi district, special focus will be given to urban areas within city limits, where incidents are more likely to occur. The SP added that the initiative had already been tested during New Year celebrations in Malpe and Manipal, where it received a positive response from the public. “We observed that visible patrolling itself acted as a deterrent, helping curb offences like eve-teasing,” he said.

As part of its mandate, Akka Pade will report cases of harassment against women to the jurisdictional police stations and provide training on protection mechanisms for women and children. The team will conduct regular visits to schools, colleges, parks, cinemas and markets to prevent harassment and eve-teasing, while creating awareness among students on good touch and bad touch and the need to remain cautious of strangers.

It will spread awareness on the POCSO Act, child marriage, child labour, trafficking, drug abuse and violence against women and children, besides educating the public on narcotic substances, cybercrimes, traffic rules and available helplines such as 1098, 181 and 112. The team will also monitor suspicious elements around educational institutions and hostels, prevent children begging at traffic signals, facilitate rehabilitation of women and children rescued from trafficking, and respond promptly to all emergency calls.