'Ban Nidar, Ban Nirbhaya!' Maharashtra CM Thackeray Launches 91 Nirbhaya Squads In Mumbai

Nirbhaya Squad is a special unit comprised of female officers to combat sexual harassment and other crimes against women. In this respect, the hotline number '103' has been activated.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Wednesday launched 91 Nirbhaya Squads in Mumbai.

"The squads consist of specially trained female & male officers stationed across Mumbai, 24/7. One can dial 103 for immediate assistance," Minister Aditya Thackeray was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray & Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil launch 91 Nirbhaya Squads in Mumbai.

"The squads consist of specially trained female & male officers stationed across Mumbai, 24/7. One can dial 103 for immediate assistance," Minister Aditya Thackeray says pic.twitter.com/GE9sdKHQAN

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022

In order to create awareness about the Nirbhaya Squads, the Mumbai Police has released a short video with the theme "Fearless women - a signature of Mumbai!", this time roping in actor Amitabh Bachchan and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

Nirbhaya Squad is a special unit comprised of female officers to combat sexual harassment and other crimes against women. In this respect, the hotline number '103' has been activated.

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who developed the short video for the Mumbai Police, has donated Rs. 50 lakh to the effort.

“Laangh Ke Ab Tu Laxman Rekha,
Ban Nidar, Ban Nirbhaya!

Fearless women - a trademark of Mumbai!

And now a dedicated squad, which is a reflection of the fearlessness amongst the women in this city - Nirbhaya Squad.#NirhbhayaHelpline103#NirbhayRepublic#NidarRepublic pic.twitter.com/QExkRPDZXL

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 26, 2022

The 2-minute clip, which has been shared on YouTube and other media, begins with Amitabh Bachchan's voiceover, which speaks of women's fortitude in difficult conditions.

It shows numerous women being harassed by guys in various public areas and on the streets of Mumbai, after which they contact the Nirbhaya Squad helpline number '103'.

The footage shows Nirbhaya Squad officers racing to the women's rescue in their patrol cars and even in civilian clothing as soon as they receive the call. The individuals who were shown harassing the woman in the video are eventually apprehended by the authorities.

The film concludes with a clip of hundreds of Nirbhaya Squad members stationed next to their patrolling cars, with the message "Laangh Ke Ab Tu Laxman Rekha, Ban Nidar, Ban Nirbhaya!" 

The Nirbhaya Squad was formed in the aftermath of the rape and death of a woman in suburban Sakinaka in 2021, which brought back memories of the 2012 'Nirbhaya' gang-rape case in Delhi.