In a commendable initiative to enhance women’s safety in the city, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sukanya Sharma conducted a late-night operation disguised as a tourist. The 33-year-old officer traveled alone in an autorickshaw, testing the city’s emergency response system while evaluating the safety of women in Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal.
On her visit to the Agra Cantt Railway Station, Ms. Sharma made a call to the police helpline, claiming she was frightened by the deserted streets and needed assistance. The helpline operator promptly advised her to find a safe location and gathered details about her situation.
Shortly after, a women’s patrolling team contacted her, stating they were on their way to help. However, Ms. Sharma revealed her true identity and the purpose of her test, stating that the emergency response system had successfully passed this round.
Continuing her evaluation of women’s safety, she hailed an autorickshaw, communicating her drop-off point without disclosing her identity to the driver. During their conversation, the driver informed her that the police had vetted him, and he would soon be operating his auto in uniform.
Upon safely reaching her destination, Ms. Sharma’s efforts received recognition from women’s rights activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj lauded the initiative, calling it a “first right step towards women’s safety,” and advocated for similar actions by police forces in other cities to better understand the challenges faced by citizens during nighttime.
