Hyderabad: Chenchu Lakshmi alias Gaddam Lakshmi Godavari alias Gundla Pochi, the 33-year-old notorious burglar who was involved in 150 cases, changed her attitude during the ‘Maha Parivarthan’ programme in Chanchalguda women’s prison. She had been getting acquittals and bail in a number of cases and when she gets released from jail, she wants to join hands with ‘SHE Teams’ to protect women. Superintendent of Chanchalguda Women’s Prison Basheera Begum said that Chenchu Lakshmi had the stamina to control at least 10 men and she wanted to use her skills in martial arts after completing her term.
“She is very strong. She learned some craft and literature. When she is releasd we want ‘SHE’ teams to give a chance to her,” she said. West Zone Task Force inspector L. Raja Venkat Reddy said that Chenchu Lakshmi was a hardcore criminal and used to attack those who tried to prevent her from committing thefts. “She was a very active burglar. If she has really changed she can be a good bodyguard to women celebrities,” he said. Ms. Basheera Begum said that the prisons’ department was providing jobs to women prisoners with private companies and firms, based on their skills.
“Released prisoners are now working in old age homes and childcare centers as ayahs. Some inmates who were good at baking are now earning around Rs 10,000 a month in city bakeries. Similarly, those who got graduation certificates during their conviction period are now working as teachers in pre-schools and primary schools,” she said. She said that if the SHE teams did not accept Chenchu Lakshmi, “We will provide her a job as a security guard at a women’s college or ladies hostel.”
