Women cops' intel traps Pratapgarh gangsters

Prayagraj: Women police officers in Pratapgarh have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in surveillance and crime prevention, particularly in monitoring criminal activities involving female offenders.

A notable success was when constable Shabnam Chauhan of Manikpur police station got a woman gangster from Mundipur village arrested after conducting surveillance. The arrested individual had seven criminal cases registered against her, including charges under sections 2 and 3 of the Gangsters Act and the NDPS Act.

As part of Pratapgarh police's enhanced crime-fighting initiative, women officers are developing intelligence networks and strategic plans to combat lawbreakers. Additionally, anti-romeo squad members are engaging with women and girls in the community, raising awareness about emergency helplines such as 1090, 1076 and Dial 112.

SP (Pratapgarh) Anil Kumar told TOI: "In order to tighten the noose around criminal gangs and gangsters, beat constables are being assigned special tasks to build an intelligence network and initiate concrete action to ensure their arrests in all 26 police stations of the district."

He further said: "Both male and female policemen are being assigned the task to maintain a strict eye on the activities of wanted criminals or gangsters in their respective operating areas and ensure action against them."

The revised strategy includes a new beat system where officers focus on specific criminals in their designated areas. Outstanding performance is recognised through cash rewards and certificates.

Both women and male constable are made beat in charges as per the govt instructions.

All beat constables are armed with ‘Prahari' app wherein they have to update details of prominent places of their area, reputed persons, update of criminals and gangsters whether lodged in jail or on bail, religious places, banks, etc.

According to the SP, officers have compiled thana-wise lists of criminals, implementing a one officer-one criminal monitoring system to dismantle criminal networks in the district and surrounding areas.

This approach has led to the arrest of 53 serious offenders in the past six weeks. Additionally, Pratapgarh police recorded the highest number of FIRs under the Gangsters Act (exceeding 100) in the state.

Both male and female officers received recognition for their achievements. Women officers particularly excelled in intelligence gathering (Suragkasi), leading to the arrest of more than twelve suspects involved in vehicle theft and robbery.

Currently, over a dozen women officers are conducting surveillance operations on criminals in the district, with senior officials reporting excellent performance in their assigned duties.