By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh is taking steps to ensure safety of women by launching a helpline for those in distress so that help may be just a ring away for women in India's most populous state.
To begin with, a 'Mahila Helpline' (women's helpline) was launched in the state capital Tuesday.
All that a woman needs to do is to dial 9956511111. A woman constable, who will attend the call, will ensure that the complaint is instantly passed on to the police patrol car deployed in the vicinity from where the complaint is received, so that help reaches within minutes – something very significant in the state where the crime rate is very high.
Based at the Kaiserbagh police station in the heart of the city, 'Mahila Helpline' has been placed under the supervision of a woman additional superintendent of police.
State Director General of Police Vikram Singh who launched the novel service, told IANS, "an automatic voice logger will record whatever is stated by the caller; and cops will promptly get into action."
Stressing that "the new service will go a long way in ensuring prompt security of women in distress", the official proposes to introduce the system in all districts over a period of time.
Meanwhile, a special arrangement has been made to post police patrol cars in the neighbourhood of all girls' schools and colleges, both in the morning and afternoon, to check eve-teasing.
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