AP gets its first Disha police station, 13 more in the pipeline

Rajahmundry: Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to enact a law for awarding capital punishment to the criminals convicted of rape and murder of women and children.

Under the Disha Act, the courts shall have to complete the trial within 21 days.

Chief Ministers YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the first Disha police station at Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday in the presence of Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha and DGP of Andhra Pradesh D Gautam Sawang.

Reddy said Disha Police Stations will exclusively deal with women’s issues and the cases will be solved within 21 days from the day of reporting the incident to the police station.

Chief minister said his government is giving top priority to the safety of women and vulnerable sections of the society.

The AP government passed the Disha Act to ensure justice and instill confidence among the women in the state. Under the Disha Act, the case proceedings will be completed in 21 days after the incident is reported.

Chief Minister said AP government is committed to bring down the crimes against women and stringent punishment will be given to those involved in the atrocities.

A total of 18 Disha police stations will be established across all the 13 districts including five in urban areas of Andhra Pradesh. The government has posted DSP, ASP, inspectors and sub-inspectors at every Disha police station. The AP government is also appointing 13 Public Prosecutors to deal with the women related cases under Disha Act.

DGP Gautam Sawang said that the AP government will be modernizing the Forensic Laboratories at Vizag, Mangalagiri and Tirupati for the speedy trial process in the cases.

"Over 30 police officers have been undergoing special training in Rajahmundry to deal with the cases of violence against women and other counselling techniques", he added.