WOMAN feels harassed in Himachal- SMS on 9459100100

Dharamsala, July 28, 2013: SMS alert service started in 2010 by Himachal Pradesh Police to stop crimes against women, particularly in  urban areas, has gained considerable popularity due to active police response.
Figures itself can reveal the fact as 22 FIRs have been registered based on the SMSs alerts with most of the cases relating to eve-teasing, in the past six months.
As part of the scheme, a quick action team of the women constables swing into action immediately on receiving an SMS on the number (9459100100). They first counsel the man harassing a woman and then contact his parents with an FIR the final resort. The scheme also covers other crimes against women including domestic violence, where even children can SMS to protect elderly women of family if needed.
"In all, 1,579 SMSs were received from January 1, 2013 till this week and almost all have been followed-up with action either at the state headquarters level or at the police station-level in the districts. Of these, 775 related to women harassment. Action is still under progress in 333 cases while others have been disposed off," said state Director General of Police (DGP) B Kamal Kumar.
Police say that even  children are sending SMSs to complain against their own parents, especially fathers and even grand-parents regarding women beating.
The SMS service was started in May 2010 to tackle all crime and has been getting a better response with each passing year. In its inaugural year, 889 SMSs were sent resulting in the registering of 16 FIRs, while in 2011, the number rose to 1,682 with 44 FIRs being lodged and in 2012, it further increased to 25 FIRs in 2013 so far with 2006 SMSs. About the lower number of FIRs, police say that it is due to police intervention without the formal lodging of FIRs.