UP Police to launch ‘Power Line’ to ward off obscene calls, SMSes

Come November, women in Noida, Ghaziabad regions who receive obscene calls, SMSes and MMSes will have help at hand. The UP Police is launching a four-digit helpline called the 'Women Power Line' to deal with such cases.

Women from any part of the state can call this toll-free number to lodge a complaint. They will not have to visit a police station to lodge the complaint or to pursue the matter.

The complainant's identity will not be disclosed during the investigation.

"A group of women constables, selected from a batch of fresh recruits, are being trained to speak English and use computers before being posted in the Women Power Line," Lucknow Range DIG Navneet Sikera said.

"It is the brainchild of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Uttar Pradesh will be be the first state to start a hi-tech unit to deal with obscene phone calls, text and picture messages, stalking and online harassment at workplaces," Sakera, who designed the concept, said.

Sakera said the four-digit number for the helpline will be allotted from Department of Telecommunication soon. The helpline is expected to be launched on the occassion of Bhaiya Dooj festival on November 15.

Sakera said the cell would accept complaints from women across the state. Only calls made by women will be accepted. The complainant herself or another woman on her behalf can lodge a complaint.

"The constable receiving the call will ask for the person's name and place of call and the details of the complaint. The complainant will not have to give her address or other personal details," the DIG said.

The details will be forwarded to another section which will contact the person named in the complaint and warn him. If the harassment continues even after two warnings, police will register a case, Sakera said.

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