Women safety to people-friendly approach: How IPS officer Akhil Mahajan redefines policing in Telangana

Telangana: Akhil Mahajan is a dynamic and innovative 2017 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, known for his proactive and people-centric approach to policing. As the new Superintendent of Police for the Rajanna-Sircilla district, he has already made a significant impact in just three months of his tenure.

"I am here to serve the people, to make a positive difference in their lives. My job is not just to catch criminals but to prevent crime, to create a safe and secure environment for everyone. I believe in community policing, in working closely with the people to identify their problems and finding solutions together," says Mahajan.

A graduate of Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University (JNTU) in Hyderabad, Mahajan had a diverse career before joining the police force. He worked in MNCs and assisted in his father's business for a year before deciding to take the UPSC exams and serve the nation.

"I always had a passion for public service, for making a difference in society. I saw the police as an institution that can bring about positive change, that can empower people to live their lives without fear," he says.

QR code to enhance women's safety

Mahajan's focus on women's safety is a notable aspect of his tenure. On Tuesday, he launched a mobile application, ‘Abhaya-My Taxi Safe’, to prevent auto-rickshaw drivers from misbehaving with women.

"The safety of women is a top priority for us. We cannot allow any kind of harassment or violence against them. The app allows women to complain to the police by scanning a QR code that has been fixed in all auto-rickshaws. This way, we can track the location of the vehicle and provide assistance to the victim quickly," he explains.

He says, "No need to download any app on your mobile phone. You can directly scan the QR code to view all the details of the vehicle, such as the owner's name, mobile number, driving license, and more. Additionally, an option called 'Track My Location' is available, which sends the live location of the vehicle to the Police Command and Control Room. This allows the control room staff to alert nearby police and locate and rescue any victim.”

"To develop the app, the police collected the details of all 3,000 auto-rickshaws in the district and fixed QR scanners to around 1,600 vehicles," says Mahajan.

He adds that the remaining vehicles in several mandals will also be covered in the next 15 days. The live location of the vehicle will be updated every five seconds, which makes it easier for the police to follow the vehicle.

Mahajan explained that the app was developed because women from the district studying in Hyderabad and other places faced trouble traveling in autos to reach their villages, especially at night. He also addressed the possibility of drivers damaging the QR code, saying that the police were educating people to check whether the QR code scanner was present before boarding the vehicle.

Police-citizen communication

Mahajan's people-centric approach to policing is reflected in his initiatives like 'Message Your SP' campaign, which allows citizens to send a message directly to him to seek immediate attention on issues like traffic, crime, terror, harassment, or any suggestion for policing by sending a message to 6303922572.

"I believe in open and transparent communication with the people. We are here to serve them, and their feedback is crucial to improving our services. The campaign has helped us in gaining public trust as well as effective law enforcement. We are providing information on illegal actions, situations where the opposing party is threatening them, case registration, texting about their non-involvement in the case, and so on," he says.

Initially, the SP received around 10-12 messages a day, which has now reduced to 6-7 messages a day. "If and when I observe something, I notify the appropriate inspectors to conduct an investigation," he adds.

Helpline to tackle fake Gulf agents

Mahajan's dedication and commitment to serving the people are reflected in his efforts to educate locals about the dangers of fake agents and Gulf immigration.

"We are doing everything possible to educate locals about the fake agents and Gulf immigration. We launched a dedicated number '8712656411' for all such queries, and complaints related to Gulf agents as a lot of complaints were received about fake agents in Sircilla who took the money and escaped. We are working to identify and punish the culprits and prevent such incidents from happening in the future," he says.

DRF in Sircilla

Mahajan also established a Disaster Response Force (DRF) team in Sircilla after experiencing significant floods as the former DCP of Mancherial. With the help of the GHMC and DRF, Mahajan trained his team to handle disasters effectively.

To avoid relying on other districts for assistance, Mahajan also planned to purchase a boat for the DRF team.

Prioritizes the well-being and work-life balance of the police force

Along with the safety of citizens, Akhil Mahajan has implemented several initiatives to prioritize the well-being and fitness of his police force. Every Saturday, there is a weekly parade in which policemen from all police stations participate.

Additionally, Mahajan attends the parade at headquarters where around 150 to 160 people participate, promoting physical fitness. To further emphasize the importance of health, they have introduced yoga on alternate Saturdays and concluded a sports event recently. These initiatives aim to enhance the fitness and morale of the police force.

Mahajan has also introduced a work-life balance policy by granting leaves whenever requested. Furthermore, when he joined, he organized a medical health camp to address any medical concerns the force might have. Mahajan's efforts to prioritize the well-being of his police force are making a significant difference in enhancing their overall productivity and performance.

“I just wish the area is peaceful. My focus is on strengthening law and order in the district. I believe that an effective law and order system will prevent small issues from escalating into larger ones. There's a theory called the 'window theory', which states that a small window should be fixed immediately before it turns into a larger crack,” he says.