The She Team Messiah Of Women

The brainchild of IPS officer Swati Lakra, the ‘She Team’ that operates in Hyderabad to combat the harassment of women and increase their safety, is indeed a boon to the women of the city. Society speaks to the courageous officer.

- Nandini R Penna

The Origin

A committee was set up by K Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana state, two years ago, wherein he wanted IPS officers to come up with recommendations regarding women’s safety in the city. Says Swati Lakra, “I was undergoing IG training during that time. My recommendation was selected and I was invited to form a team.” This dynamic officer, born in Jharkhand, worked as Deputy Inspector General of Visakhapatnam range, before joining the Hyderabad city police as the Additional Commissioner of Police in 2015.

She says, “The aim is to ensure safety and honour of all the women in the city, to curb sexual harassment in public places, especially eve teasing, nabbing offenders who make obscene phone calls, and send such messages on social media, etc. Basically, nipping the problem in the bud before it turns into a major offence.”

Modus Operandi