“Be Fearless, Be Nirbhaya”: Mumbai Police shares video of Nirbhaya Squad, and new helpline number for women
The Mumbai Police Department, which is known for deploying inventive posts for public awareness campaigns, has released another gem, this time in partnership with actor Amitabh Bachchan and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.
The Mumbai Police Department presented a short video developed by Rohit Shetty with the theme “Fearless women – a signature of Mumbai!” to spread the word about its Nirbhaya Squad, which was formally launched today to prevent crime against women in the city.
“Laangh Ke Ab Tu Laxman Rekha,
Ban Nidar, Ban Nirbhaya!Fearless women – a trademark of Mumbai!
AdvertisementAnd now a dedicated squad, which is a reflection of the fearlessness amongst the women in this city – Nirbhaya Squad.#NirhbhayaHelpline103#NirbhayRepublic#NidarRepublic pic.twitter.com/QExkRPDZXL
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 26, 2022
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The Mumbai police department established a special unit comprised of female officers to combat sexual harassment and other crimes against women. In this regard, the ‘103’ helpline has been activated.
The squad was formally established this afternoon at the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office in the presence of Maharashtra Minister Dilip Walse Patil. Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also participated in the event through video conference.
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who developed the short video for the Mumbai Police, attended the event and donated Rs. 50 lakh to the effort.
The 2-minute clip shared on YouTube, and other media begins with Mr Bachchan’s voiceover, which speaks of women’s fortitude in difficult conditions. It depicts a variety of women being harassed by males in various public places and on Mumbai’s streets, following which they phone the Nirbhaya Squad helpline number ‘103.’
The Nirbhaya Squad was formed in the aftermath of the brutal rape and death of a woman in suburban Sakinaka in 2021, which resembled the 2012 ‘Nirbhaya’ gang-rape case in Delhi.
Every squad stationed at each police station consists of a female assistant inspector or sub-inspector, a female constable, a male constable, and a driver. This unit has been issued the ‘Mobile-5’ vehicle from each police station.