HYDERABAD: They are the visible invisibles. One segment that has borne the brunt of the hectic election campaign but one which has been seldom acknowledged. That is the plight of women constables who are on deployed on bandobast duty, amidst milling crowds.
In candid interactions with Deccan Chronicle, many women police personnel opened up about the difficulties they encountered. Two common concerns were about the extended duty hours and the absolute lack of washrooms in the vicinity.
The latter predicament, in particular, is taking a heavy toll on their physical well-being and work productivity, many of the women personnel said, seeking anonymity.
"We are on duty for long hours, which sometimes is beyond our regular shift timings. There is no respite whatsoever. It becomes physically and mentally exhausting," remarked one woman constable.
Many of them lamented that they hardly get breaks to attend to personal necessities. They cited instances when they were unable to take breaks for meals or visit washrooms. “Such constraints like having irregular meals impact our nutritional intake and also pose health risks,” said one of them.
"When you're stationed at a campaign spot, you have to be on your toes, fully alert. There's hardly any time to grab a meal or a moment to use washrooms," bemoaned another constable.
“We aren't looking at comforts as our primary concern is to ensure that the campaign process is safe. Having washroom facilities is really important, especially at important venues. This will make our job easier. Quite apparently our performance levels will take a beating in the absence of proper facilities,” said a constable.
Oftentimes, getting back home can be an issue fraught with risk. Last week, three women Home Guards on duty at Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s public meeting at Kolhapur were severely injured in a road accident near Nagarkurnool on Sunday evening when they were returning to Mahbubnagar.
Sympathising with them, Rachakonda SHE Teams DCP Sree Bala told Deccan Chronicle, "Their diligence and the determination to deliver the goods while braving the challenges show that we need to create a more supportive environment for them, especially when on election duty for days together. Although we have mobile toilets everywhere, some of them are said to be defunct. We are addressing these genuine concerns so that their health will not get affected.”
Washrooms: These are few and far between in far-flung areas.
Some places have mobile toilets but many do not work
Meals: Women constables hardly get time to grab a meal due to their tight schedules.
Break: Women constables get very little time to themselves and take care of family, leaving them fatigued at the start of the day.
Medical support: Little help on-site, especially when women constables are on their periods.
