In the wake of the rape and murder of a minor by a Toto driver in New Town, a satellite city of Kolkata, police have brought in additional measures for the safety of women – from deploying woman police officers in plainclothes to patrolling by women cops.

This comes amid the Calcutta High Court asking the state Home Department to form a ‘review team’ on safety and security of women at workplace after hearing a PIL raising concerns over the safety and security of women working in the IT sector and doing night shift.

“We have decided to increase lighting to prevent dark spots and ensure visibility of the area at night. Apart from deploying additional police personnel, especially during night time in the isolated areas, a team of women cops called “Winners” are going to make rounds in the area,” Electronics Complex Police Station of New Town stated.

“Also, women cops will patrol regularly on their bicycles, besides the RT mobile vans patrolling during day and night time. Police personnel, including women cops in plainclothes, have been deployed at specific locations,” the police said.

Police have also decided to install more CCTV cameras in “strategic” locations “to monitor and deter potential threats”. It is to be noted that a 22-year-old Toto driver was arrested for the rape and murder of the girl after police found CCTV footage of the girl walking up to him.
Police have also organised self-defence training sessions for women employees under the “Baghini” project.

Last week, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate under which New Town falls initiated measures like compulsory registration of all toto vehicles and verification of toto drivers.

Following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at state-run RG Kar hospital in Kolkata, the government had come up with a 17-point guideline – Raatri Saathi – on the safety and security of women in the workplace.