Good response to police complaint boxes in slums

Complaint boxes set up at several spots between Ghatkopar and Mulund have found many takers in the neighbouring slum areas.

Complaint boxes set up at several spots between Ghatkopar and Mulund have found many takers in the neighbouring slum areas.

HT Image

This initiative was started, at the behest of the zonal deputy commissioner Sanjay Shintre, to help people complain to the police about any issue and remain anonymous at the same time.

The police had started the drive in August last year wherein 172 complaint boxes were installed at several spots near educational institutes and slum areas.

According to the statistics obtained by police, in the past six months they have received 57 actionable complaints from the boxes. Of the total complaints, 25 have been received from complaint boxes put up under the jurisdiction of the Navghar (Mulund East) police station.

“It is a positive sign that we are getting a good response,” said assistant inspector A Sawant of Navghar police station.

He said that the slum residents make more use of these boxes, as they regularly face anti-social elements like slumlords or eve-teasers every day. “They normally do not feel empowered enough to fight them openly. The boxes, however, help them air their grievance as well as stay anonymous”, Sawant said.

Citing another reason, an officer from Navghar station said, “The middle class is more empowered and aware about their rights these days. That is probably why in comparison to slum dwellers they do not feel the need for such complaint boxes.”