Over 25 lakh women commuters in Mumbai’s local trains can now heave a sigh of relief. In a move to ensure safety for female passengers, the Mumbai Railway Police has decided to deploy trained women commandos in the ladies’ compartments of suburban trains from October 2007.
This measure is the brainchild of Vasant Koregoankar, Deputy Commissioner (Central Zone) of Mumbai Railway Police. Koregaonkar said, “Women commuters have been asking for women commandos instead of armed policemen in the ladies’ compartment for the past one year. Therefore, we forwarded the proposal to the police commissioner, who gave it the green signal after a thorough analysis of the situation.”
He said 65 women constables aged between 20-25 years have been chosen for a month-long commando training. The training programme started on Saturday at Mumbai Railway police headquarters, Ghatkopar.
The commandos will be trained in handling modern arms such as AK-47s, Self Loading Rifles (SLRs) and Carbines. They will also learn how to use gadgets like the walkie-talkie.
The trainees will be required to learn martial arts, and will undergo rigorous physical training. A refresher course in law and training on soft skills such as interacting with women commuters will also be imparted. The commandos will also be trained on how to handle women criminals in trains and on railway premises.
Earlier, women constables were posted at bag checking counters or in the ladies’ compartments to keep a watch on women criminals. Trained women commandos, armed with modern weapons will ensure better safety. “Trained women commandos will be able to tackle prostitution at railway stations, eve-teasers, bag lifters, pick-pockets and chain snatchers in ladies’ compartments,” Koregoankar said.
