Hyderabad: The sale of pepper spray in Hyderabad has seen a rise after district heads and sometimes the police have asked women to carry pepper spray along with them.
In light of recent events where a Tahsildar Vijaya Reddy was burnt alive, the Tahsildars' Association has asked officials to take precautions to ensure the 400 women tahsildars in the state do not suffer any more such attacks.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, V. Lachi Reddy, president of the association, said that there have been instances where the women staffers of the district offices have been threatened.
“Carrying a pepper spray would act as a deterrent in such situations,” he said.
Not just the association, even police chiefs, suggest that women should carry such defensive articles with them. "A woman on the street is entitled to safety. We strongly support women who carry a pepper spray. There are videos of how to make pepper spray on the internet. Women must watch and learn the techniques," said Rachakonda police commissioner, Mahesh M Bhagwat.
Further, the association is now mulling plans to have visitors to the district offices screened before meeting officers.
These measures of stringent security are specifically to keep the tahsildar officials separated and safe from the public as much as possible. Visitors on Tuesday underwent strict security scans and metal detectors at the district collectorates before meeting tahsildars.
Also, all departments would now have proper CCTV surveillance to prevent such untoward incidents, he added.
