VIJAYAWADA: Disha mobile application is getting popular in Andhra Pradesh by the day with 39 lakh people already downloading the safety app on their mobile phones. So far, 2,988 complaints have been registered consequent to this app; 1,220 of them against husbands, followed by relatives, others and unknown persons.
According to officials, AP has registered a four percent reduction in crimes against Women (CAW) in 2020 compared to 2019. The average days for investigating CAW cases have reduced from over 100 days previously to 86 days in 2020 and 42 days in 2021. AP police have a database of 2,11,793 sexual offenders who have been geotagged. The investigation compliance rate in sexual offences for the current year is 90 percent, whereas the national average is 35 percent.
AP has received 3,10,782 SOS requests through Disha app. Of these, 2,988 calls turned out to be actionable and 436 FIRs have been registered. Interestingly, a majority of 1,220 calls received over Disha relate to harassment by husbands, followed by 814 by others, 414 by relatives, 283 by unknown persons and 82 by women. 40 complaints has been related to girls missing, 30 women missing, 25 public nuisance, 22 fake calls, 13 crimes against children, 10 men missing, eight civil disputes, two boys missing and 26 related to other issues.
As many as 900 two-wheelers are being utilised by Disha staff for preventing crime against women. Police officials say the department is receiving 4,000–4,500 calls per day through Disha app.
Home minister Mekathoti Sucharita described Disha app as “Saviour Big Brother”, providing help within minutes to girls and women. She said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy initiated the Disha mobile app for protection and safety of girls and women. She asked them to download Disha app on their mobile phones without fail and use SOS during emergencies to get instant help and protection.
AP DGP Gautam Sawang said Disha app has become a role model in the country as it provides swift services.
