Kozhikode: Do not get surprised by a male cop driving a pink patrol vehicle on the roads of Kozhikode. For the last few days, the vehicle is seen with male cops driving, even after the usual 8 am-8 pm pink patrolling in the city.
Though one of the two cars allotted for the patrolling in the city was off the road for repair for the last few days, the other car was reportedly busy for flying squad as well as Vanitha helpline.
There were also reports that the cab, exclusively for the service of an all-woman team, is being used on many nights in place of flying squad vehicles and Vanitha helpline, by male cops. Though the same issue was raised at the women police officers’ level, there was no reaction from the senior officers. A query regarding the same to the city police commissioner also went unanswered.
The cars are kept on the premises of the control room when the woman drivers leave the duty after 8 pm. Sources said the attraction of a 'new, air-conditioned vehicle' could be a reason for using them for the additional patrolling.
'Control Room AC M. Subair confirmed this.
“There is a requirement for additional patrolling during night as the number of attacks against the women and children are on the rise,” he said, adding that they were taken not because of shortage in the vehicle squad, but as an additional support.
“The driver for the Vanitha helpline would be a male, and they are not in the services in the name of Pink patrolling, only the vehicle is being used. The driver of the cab, a male cop, is not part of the pink patrolling team.”
