Kolkata: In a bid to strengthen safety measures for women on the city roads, Kolkata Police on Saturday launched all-women booths and patrolling teams, following directives from the state govt. Equipped with various facilities, the ‘Pink Booths’ will be initially installed at Shyambazar Five Point, Kankurgachhi, Hudco Crossing, Gariahat, and Behala Chowrasta. Kolkata Police commissioner, Supratim Sarkar, on Saturday said during the inauguration ceremony at Shyambazar that the number of such booths may be increased in the future after conducting a review.“Women’s safety is the top priority for Kolkata Police. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the safety of working women who return home late at night. Our female staff will be deployed in the booths from 5 pm to 11pm. These booths are equipped with first aid items, phones and CCTV. These will also have the facility for women staff to change their clothes,” the CP said. The top cop also added that these booths—with 3 to 5 staff, including an ASI—would provide information, including police station numbers and locations of the hospitals. “We believe women will feel more comfortable to discuss their issues with other women,” he added. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned about these initiatives on social media.“Proud to share that, for further increasing the safety and confidence of women in our city, Kolkata Police is launching 2 more initiatives from today. First, several all-women Pink Booths at key city intersections will be commissioned and be operational from evening to midnight, today onwards. My sisters in the city will be able to connect directly with the lady officers of KP for any assistance in these booths,” Banerjee wrote.The CP also said five vehicles, named as ‘Shining Mobile’, with women cops, will patrol key city roads from 8 pm to 2 am. The timing may change based on circumstances, the CP said, adding that the number of vehicles will also be increased. According to the sources in Lalbazar, cops have a plan to expand such booths to cover 20 divisions, including north, central, south, southeast, southwest (Behala), south suburban (Jadavpur), east, eastern suburban, port, and Bhangar. These initiatives will be in addition to the existing Winners and Shakti units.“If a woman approaches the booth, the female officers will provide safe space to her and if required, coordinate with the concerned police station or control room to ensure immediate action is taken,” an officer said about the initiative. Women in the city had mixed reaction to the initiatives. Though they welcomed the move, they were also sceptical about the effectiveness of the initiatives.
