In an unusual night-time operation to assess the safety of women on the ground, Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B. Sumathi, soon after taking charge, hid in public places posing as a civilian to monitor conditions in real time.
The exercise, which took place during the night earlier this month, saw commissioners visit places in Dilsukhnagar to identify the problems faced by women in the late hours.
Within a short time, a group of young men approached her and engaged in inappropriate conversation, with most of them identified as students.
Unaware of her identity, the group continued their behavior until pre-deployed police teams intervened and apprehended them. Instead of immediately ordering criminal cases, the police counseled young people, warning them of the legal consequences of harassment and stressing the importance of respecting women in public spaces.
Officials said the exercise was not intended as an enforcement demonstration, but to assess security issues at the country level.
“Some localities are witnessing an increase in night-time activities involving young people, with concerns extending beyond harassment to substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, and the vulnerability of minors,” Sumathi said.
She also noted that some areas are increasingly becoming centers for problematic activity, fueled by the presence of hostels and dense residential clusters, making monitoring and parental supervision difficult.
Published – 06 May 2026 23:05 IST
