Anand had his own
personal ghosts. Childhood memories of bloated bodies
bobbing up along the lake’s banks always haunted
him. Eight months ago, he created a force to fight his
old bugaboo: a special Lake Police, whose personnel would
also check pick-pocketing, eve-teasing or prostitution
around the lake, while trying to prevent as many suicides
as possible. The The project has already recorded 25 successes.
Thanks to generous private donations,
the special anti-suicide squad of the force is equipped
with innovative props. A high-resolution surveillance
camera with night-vision capabilities-which Anand claims
is the first of its kind in the country-has now been
mounted on a 55-foot tower. The camera is able to pan,
focus or zoom in on anything along the banks of the
lake with the help of a remote-controlled device attached
to cellphones. There’s a specially fitted patrolling
jeep to keep an eye on any suspicious activity in the
lake area on a 24-hour basis. A dozen people already
owe their lives to the team of gajaeethagallus-expert
divers-specially recruited from fishing families of
coastal Andhra-they rush in on a boat every time someone
is reported to be jumping or walking into the lake.
"The actual act of saving someone’s
life only lasts a few minutes but the follow-up is as
crucial and can last from a few days to several months.
It depends on the person’s response and family
support," says Anand. But an emotional buffer comes
in the form of sub-inspector Madhavi Latha. The counsellor,
who starts her healing process soon after the person
is rescued, lends depth to what could have otherwise
remained a basic patrolling initiative. After hearing
out the victim, Latha assesses the situation and decides
when the family needs to be involved in the rehabilitation
process. "Personal interaction with the family
is very important. Their cooperation is vital to the
success of the programme," she says. If a person
is averse to going back home, they are even given shelter
in the police station till they feel ready to face their
families again. In keeping with the norms, all attempted
suicides are registered under Section 130 of the Indian
Penal Code. However, Anand claims his team is instructed
to shut the case after registering it and ensure there
is no further harassment.
The involvement of the Lake Police
team doesn’t end here. In cases where bitter family
disputes form the backdrop to suicide bids, Anand claims
the constable accompanies the person back home and even
stays on for a few days to ensure peace. All cases are
individually referred to Rakshaa, an NGO specialising
in family counselling.
Meanwhile, in spite of a high success
rate, Anand says his divers need faster boats, proper
wet suits and oxygen tanks to be more effective.The
waters of the Hussainsagar are so dirty that every time
the divers jump into it their skin breaks out in rashes.
Also, the level of pollution makes it impossible to
dive beyond 25 feet without oxygen, while the depth
of the lake often goes beyond 40 feet. The police also
need extra funds to increase fencing and lighting around
desolate spots along the banks of the lake to prevent
suicides.
C.V. Anand can be contacted at:
(040)-23241516, (0)9848012439, or
e-mail: cvanand99@yahoo.com,
dcp@hyderabadlakepolice.com
|
