Akka Pade units will be set up in smaller towns, says Hebbalkar

Akka Pade, the special police force raised to protect women and children, will be set up in all the taluk headquarter towns in phases, Minister for Women and Child Development Lakshmi Hebbalkar said in Belagavi on Tuesday.

“This is likely to be announced in this year’s State Budget,” she said.

She was speaking after launching the Pade for Belagavi city at the Kittur Rani Channamma Circle.

She said that the new force symbolises the power and self-respect of women and that it will be dedicated to protecting women.

She said that units of the force have been deployed in some places on an experimental basis and that they received a good response.

“This has given new hope for women and children who face challenging situations. Setting up these units is only a part of the larger gamut of measures being brought in by the State government for the security of women and children. Strict enforcement of rules, programmes to create awareness about women’s safety and children’s protection and sensitising officers to such issues are all being taken up,” she said.

Special 24-hour helplines have been opened to prevent violence against children and women. The general helpline is 112 and the women’s helpline for the Akka Pade is 181. Such details will be publicised by displaying posters with these numbers.

Members of the Pade will be vigilant and will visit public places such as malls, fairs, lady’s hostels, colleges, community halls and other crowded areas. “I request the members of various civil society groups to extend their support to the Pade,” the Minister said.

She said that among the tasks of the Pade are to prevent child marriages, work with other officers to detect child labour and eradicate child pregnancy and POCSO Act cases.

“Akka Pade aims for women and children to be able move around without fear,” she said. Names of the women who complain about violence will be kept confidential.

She urged girls and women to use the helplines. “Even if you are facing problems at home, you can contact the Akka Pade through the helpline. Members of the Akka Pade will provide support to those in distress,” she said.

Pade members from Bidar participated in a demonstration of stunts and self-defence techniques at the Rani Channamma Circle.

State-level coordinator S. Saini, Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabarao, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development Chetan Kumar M.N, Child Development Project Officer Sumitra, convener Anil Kumar Hegde and others were present.