Badal (Muktsar), April 14
The Punjab Government will deploy security squads of armed policewomen in each district of the state to enhance security of women and check crimes against them.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal flagged off 50 slightly modified Honda Activa scooters for women personnel of the Women Armed Special Protection Squads (WASPS) of five districts in the Bathinda Zone —Muktsar, Mansa, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Fazilka — at Badal village today. The Bathinda Zone covers seven districts, including Moga, but its police force is not included in the pilot project.

The squads, initially launched by the Bathinda police, would be deployed near markets, educational institutions and other busy places.

The policewomen would be equipped with a revolver, pair of handcuffs, baton, chilli powder, wireless system and sound system to send an alert. The teams would work under the beat system.

The pilot phase of the project will be implemented in Bathinda Zone and 10 teams of policewomen had been made in each of the five districts to ensure proper implementation of the project, besides launching a special patrolling drive.

"The state government is fully committed to ensure the safety and security of women and for this purpose, WASPS will be deployed in each district of the state.

“In fact, the success of the WASPS has also caught the attention of Haryana and it is also planning to launch a similar programme," Sukhbir said.

About the new recruitment of policewomen, Sukhbir said, "The state government has already recruited 3,233 women constables and 1,200 more will be hired in the next three years.

“These would include 338 women sub-inspectors. Besides, the process of setting up 20 special judicial courts dedicated to women is also on."

Bathinda Zone Inspector General NS Dhillon said WASPS was the first-ever project of its kind in the country.

It was initially launched by the Bathinda police in January to make women feel safe and secure and yielded good results in tackling eve- teasing incidents, he said.

"The WASPS teams will be deployed near educational institutions, markets and other busy places in the districts to ensure security of women. A special patrolling drive from 8 am to 5 pm will also be launched," Dhillon said.

Policewomen of Bathinda apprised Sukhbir about the functioning of WASPS and shared their experiences with him.