They are watching you

NEW DELHI: On their toes through the day, the policewomen at Pragati Maidan are on patrol to keep a close tab on any untoward incident at the India International Trade Fair 2008. Moreover, most of them are dressed in civils to catch the trouble-makers unaware.
These policewomen have their own way of countering all acts of disorderliness at the fair. `Different strokes for different folks' is the rule they seem to follow.A stern look usually works for a simple act of indiscipline. For a case of eve-teasing, a scolding does the job, and if it doesn't settle even there, a bash or two certainly tames the baddies down.
"We are no superwomen, rather simple ladies who have two responsibilities one towards our family and another towards the country. We react depending upon what kind of trouble the person creates and also according to the age of the person involved. If we come across a young boy playing mischief, a scolding with a warning works. But if it is someone who is mature enough, we immediately lodge a complaint and bash him in front of the others so that everyone learns a lesson and stays within their limits,'' said Meghana, a Delhi Police officer on duty.
To the damsels in distress, these policewomen are their godmothers. "There are many young girls who are teased often, but they feel helpless. As soon as they complain, we chase the bad elements and punish them. Usually, the girls from north-east get really harassed by the disorderly public. Since most of them are too soft spoken to retort, they are the easy targets for eve-teasers. We have provided them with our numbers so that they can contact us when they are in need of help,'' says Sana, another lady police deployed at the trade fair.''
Sana further added, "If we catch a person passing lewd comments at a girl, we make him call the concerned girl their sister. They are made to say sorry repeatedly so that they face some embarrassment. Sometimes we even make boys hold their ears and take a round of the fair. It's only then that they will realise their mistake.''
Least to say it is not an easy job to go about, with nearly one lakh people thronging the fair everyday. Ask 30-year-old Rama, who looks the toughest amongst all of them, about her life and the more sensitive side to her seems a revelation. She instantly starts talking about her two sons. "I am a single parent. My day starts with waking up my children after which I leave for work. Though I try not to misuse my power and punish only the bad elements, I always apologize if I catch any innocent person sometimes. The transformation from a warm and caring mother to a strict policewomen is what makes the task even more challenging and difficult for some of us.''
A senior police officer at IITF said, "Though we receive several complaints regarding eve-teasing, no case has been registered till now. Whenever we receive complaints, we take action immediately. However, usually the complainants are hesitant to register a case. So after giving a serious warning to the accused, we leave them.''