A quiet yet powerful revolution in law enforcement unfolded in Hyderabad this past fortnight as four young women IPS officers led the city through two of its most sensitive religious events — Bonalu and Muharram — without a single major law and order incident. Their coordinated leadership, tactful policing, and community engagement earned them wide admiration from both citizens and senior police officials.
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Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) Ms. Sneha Mehra (2018-batch IPS officer), Ms. Reshmi Perumal (2019-batch IPS officer), Ms. N Swetha, and Ms. Rakshitha K Murthy worked behind the scenes and on the ground to ensure that both the celebratory Bonalu and the solemn Muharram processions passed off peacefully, even in communally sensitive areas.
Seamless Bandobast in High-Stress Zones
Ms. Sneha Mehra, DCP South Zone, played a pivotal role in overseeing security arrangements in the historic and densely populated quarters of Charminar, Shahalibanda, and Lal Darwaza. With a strong emphasis on intelligence coordination and layered deployment of personnel, she ensured smooth movement and proactive crowd control.
Simultaneously, Ms. Reshmi Perumal, DCP North Zone, led operations in Secunderabad and adjoining neighborhoods, where she managed complex processions routes and heavy crowds. Her command-and-control center served as the nerve hub for drone surveillance, Quick Response Teams, and She Teams, prioritizing women’s safety during the gatherings.
Strategic Oversight and Smart Coordination
Ms. N Swetha, DCP of the Detective Department, played a strategic role in monitoring the Muharram procession that weaved through arterial roads of the old city. Her focus on pre-emptive intelligence and route security was critical in avoiding flashpoints during the high-sensitivity event.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rakshitha K Murthy, DCP, CAR Headquarters, took charge of inter-departmental coordination and communication. She ensured robust deployment of women officers across all zones, projecting both inclusivity and approachability in public policing.
Her focus on proactive public messaging helped in building trust, keeping misinformation in check, and ensuring that the community felt heard and reassured throughout the events.
Public and Police: United in Applause
From real-time crowd management to leveraging tech tools like drones and integrated surveillance, these officers showcased a blend of traditional vigilance and modern policing techniques. What made their work stand out, however, was the sense of calm, control, and confidence they brought to their roles.
Senior officials within the Hyderabad Police praised their leadership, citing the zero-incident outcome as a testament to their preparedness and precision. Citizens too expressed gratitude for the visible presence, swift responsiveness, and community-sensitive approach of the police throughout the festivities.
In a field long dominated by men, these women officers didn’t just maintain order — they redefined leadership in crisis, one procession at a time.
