Visakhapatnam: In a bold move, State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha came down heavily on the police across the Visakhapatnam range, demanding they stop turning a blind eye to crimes against women and girls. At a review meeting held in the Srikakulam district police office on Wednesday, she made it clear that excuses would no longer be tolerated when it comes to women’s safety.
Srikakulam SP K.V. Maheshwara Reddy was made to present detailed crime data, including disturbing figures related to POCSO cases, rampant drug crimes involving ganja, and the slow pace of tech adoption in investigations.
Range DIG Gopinath Jatti tried to reassure the minister by highlighting the state’s supposed push for swift justice in crimes against women, marijuana eradication, and cybercrime prevention. But Anitha wasn’t buying words alone—she made it clear that real, on-ground change is overdue.
Promising to upgrade police infrastructure—like vehicles, fingerprint scanners, CCTV, and drones—Anitha also urged immediate implementation of impactful measures. These included mandatory self-defence training in schools via Shakti teams, anonymous complaint drop boxes, and aggressive drug patrols in border regions. She specifically ordered CCTV coverage in schools, residential complexes, and rural zones, pointing out that delayed detection equals failed protection.
Anitha’s message was loud and clear: the days of passive policing are over, and any negligence in protecting women and girls will no longer be tolerated.
