In Chembur, a team of 10 policewomen has set a benchmark for colleagues with the efficient crowd management they displayed during the immersion of the Ganesh idols during the recent Ganesh Puja.

And they have won praise from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Zone VI) Dilip Sawant, who has issued certificates of appreciation to five members of the team.

“It was a strategy that we adopted to see whether placing well-trained women police staff in an area would ensure better management of crowd. These personnel were briefed on all aspects of visarjan at the Charai talao and our strategy was successful. Unruly crowds who are usually on the warpath to immerse their idols did not expect policewomen to be maneuvering them and as a result, there was less confusion among the crowds,” said DCP Dilip Sawant.

“These women had shown that policing has nothing to do with gender. They ensured that the visarjan on all days progressed smoothly. They did not budge from their positions till the area was cleared. In fact, they have done a better job than most male constables. We keep citing their example to other constables to improve their performance,” said Sawant.

While the policewomen are elated at their newfound status, they say it was the result of team effort and the guidance by their superiors.

“Our efforts to control the crowds were successful ironically because of our gender. Large parties that come to immerse idols would usually be gruff with male constables and after much pushing the entire mob would descend into the talao. However, on seeing a woman in police uniform, people were more behaved,” said assistant police inspector Manisha Shirke, one of the team members.

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