As thousands of people gather for Garba and Dandiya celebrations during Navratri, the Gujarat Police has introduced an undercover approach to strengthen women's safety at crowded festival venues. Female police officers are joining the dance circles in traditional chaniya-cholis, blending in with revellers while keeping a watch for harassment, stalking and other offences.
The initiative operates under the police's SHE Teams, which are tasked with protecting women and girls across the state. By moving among the crowds rather than remaining visibly stationed on the sidelines, the officers can identify suspected offenders without drawing immediate attention to themselves.
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How Do SHE Teams Work During Garba?
The undercover officers keep an eye out for eve-teasing, stalking, pickpocketing, and theft in the Garba venues. They also search for anyone secretly filming or clicking pictures of the women. People exhibiting these behaviours can be stopped and frisked by the police.
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The teams use communication equipment to coordinate with other officers and seek assistance when required. The broader security arrangement also includes body-worn cameras, walkie-talkies and surveillance systems at festival venues.
Prior to events, police personnel scan for security arrangements and liaise with control rooms overseeing the cameras at the venue. In some areas, such as at Surat, AI-enabled cameras are being used to monitor crowd density.
From Entry Checks To Parking-Lot Patrols
Security measures extend beyond the dance floor. Major Garba venues are required to arrange separate screening areas for women, with female security personnel conducting checks. Breathalyser tests may also be used at entry points to prevent intoxicated people from entering designated festival areas.
Meanwhile, mobile SHE Team units, PCR vans and patrol bikes cover surrounding roads, parking areas and public transport drop-off points. These patrols operate from around 6 pm until the events conclude, helping officers respond to incidents outside the main venues.
Some personnel have also received language training to help them communicate with young people, visitors from other states and international tourists.
What Are Gujarat Police's SHE Teams?
SHE Teams are units of the Gujarat Police comprising female police personnel trained to ensure women's safety, security and awareness. Besides during Navratri celebrations, their work is aimed at all public places which are frequently visited by women, such as schools, colleges, markets, shopping malls and public transport areas.
The teams patrol the area, answer distress signals and conduct awareness programmes such as self-defence, good touch and bad touch, cyberbullying, sextortion, online grooming and fraud by QR code and one-time password (OTP).
Hundreds of SHE Teams have been set up across the state of Gujarat and are being mobilised and functioning differently in different locations.
Women's Safety Helplines
Women who need assistance can contact the following helplines:
- 181: Women's Helpline
- 112: Emergency police assistance
- 1930: National Cyber Crime Helpline
The undercover deployment at Garba venues is intended to make it easier for police to identify and respond to harassment in crowded settings, while the wider SHE Team network continues its regular work across the state.