People want Disha App publicised more for women’s safety

Vijayawada: There is a need to give widespread publicity for Disha App, which can help women to save their lives in case they face a threat to their modesty or life.

Police have observed that though a good number of women are downloading the app on their mobile phones and registering it, they are not keen on using it in case of trouble. They are also not advising their friends and colleagues to download the app and register themselves as a precautionary measure.

So far, there have been 1.35 crore downloads of Disha App since its launch. Of them, 1.10 crore have been registered. As many as 9.84 lakh SOS alerts have been received seeking help from police.

Police say a good number of calls received from Disha App just check when police call back to check out their situation. Some call up for non-emergency cases saying their husband has arrived drunk and has started shouting.

Others seek police help in arranging their marriage, claiming their family members are not accepting the person whom they love.

However, there have also been cases of emergency situations seeking rescue. Police say that soon after receiving a call through Disha App, they reach out to the callers in just five to six minutes on an average in areas where police stations are located. It takes 12–15 minutes in case of villages from where police stations are far off.

If the distance is more, police alert village sarpanches or elders to rush to the place and extend immediate help before they arrive.

Youngsters, in particular, want the state government to give widespread publicity to the app by setting up huge billboards and banners at all educational institutions, public and private offices, and village / ward secretariats.

They also want the app to be publicised through film theatres, cable TV and social media platforms, so that more people use them in the nick of time and save themselves.

A senior police officer said, “We are getting good response, especially from women, who are downloading the Disha App and registering it. However, they must use it in case of any trouble, instead of treating Disha like other apps downloaded on mobile phones but rarely used.”