3 days ago

Women patrol Uttarakhand village to curb rising drug sales

Women patrol Uttarakhand village to curb rising drug sales
Why are women in this U'khand village patrolling streets at night? · rediff.com

Women in Thani village are taking turns walking around their streets at night.

They want to stop people from selling or looking for illegal drugs.

The women ask unfamiliar visitors where they are going and whom they are meeting.

A village poster warns that selling or buying cannabis and marijuana can lead to legal action.

Residents say drug activity had made the streets crowded and changed the peaceful atmosphere.

The patrols began with only one or two women.

More women later joined and started carrying sticks while keeping watch.

Police personnel now reportedly visit the village every day after residents submitted an application.

Key facts

Initiative
Citizen-led night patrols by women residents
Organizing group
Nari Jagriti Sangathan
Main concern
Drug trafficking and people visiting the village in search of narcotics
Village
Thani
Location
Old Mussoorie Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Patrol timing
Evenings and late nights, sometimes until 1 or 2 a.m.
Police response
Two police personnel reportedly conduct daily rounds after a formal application
Warning displayed
A poster says cannabis and marijuana are prohibited and warns of legal action for selling or purchasing them

Quotes

An unnamed local woman

A Thani village resident who described the reasons for the women’s patrols

“We had to do this because sales had been going on here for a long time, but recently, the scale had exploded. Sales had surged, the streets were overcrowded, it was becoming difficult for people to even walk, and the atmosphere had deteriorated drastically.”
rediff.com
“Then, more and more joined in. Eventually, these women started standing guard here armed with sticks and batons.”
rediff.com

Sources

Related news