Mumbai's Western Railway ladies coaches set to get women marshals

Mumbai which was once considered a safe haven for women has been now constantly in the news for the wrong reasons The railways regarded as the lifeline of commuters has been a vulnerable mode of transport for approximately sixty five thousand women passengers who travel daily in the suburban networkRepresentational PicMe Mukti Marshals a initiative by Smita Thackerayrsquos NGO Mukti Foundation has a team of thirteen welltrained women marshals who will travel on the Western Railway trains between 930 pm and 1230 am between Andheri and Borivali and Mumbai Central and Churchgate to ensure a safe commute for the women passengersldquoI have always felt the boiling anger within when I see wrong happening to any women I have observed that women do not get into local trains ladies compartment late night fearing attack Earlier I was into a marketing job as I was a normal woman Today I stand up with the cops shouldertoshoulder and stand up for womenrsquos rightsrdquo said Anita Suryakant Avhad 23 a Me Mukti MarshalldquoI am a home guard and I am also a Marshal I heard about the fact that this was for women protection I have always been part of bandobast duty and this gave me the energy and encouragement Women feel protected when they meet us They click pictures on their mobile with usrdquo said Ranjana Dattaram Sawant 40While for some volunteers anger over the atrocities against women was the movitation for Manali Sunil Khaire 21 it was her childhood fascination for cops ldquoI have this childhood fascination for cops and I am a woman For me this was to first to protect myself she saidldquoThere are a lot of atrocities I hear and read about As a woman I did not feel safeWe should do something for women In trains late during the night women feel scared as there are no homeguards or cops This is something we can do to protect them This training helps feel strong inside and the women inside me respects me and I like it It feels good Not just as a Mukti Marshal but as a woman I can always use this training The need may arise anytime on a local train or any place for that matterrdquo said Kalpana Bhagat 28 another Me Mukti MarshalResponding to queries about what authorities the marshals will have Smita Thackrey said ldquoCurrently the MeMuktiMarshals have been provided instructions to deter any criminal activity without the use of force though they have been provided adequate training to stand their ground as well as being equipped with batons and pepper sprays Thanks to the support of the RPF in case of any incident the Marshals will subdue the criminals if they push a certain threshold of threat to the women in the train The subdued individuals will be handed over to the Railway Police Force and they will then take further action as they see fit The MeMuktiMarshals are a force of women who have been trained to prioritize a peaceful approach over all others and use limited force only if a situation absolutely requires itA senior official from the Railway Police Force RPF said The ratio of cops to the population in Mumbai is very low any such noble initiative is always appreciated but the women commuters themselves must be trained in self ndashdefence as cops cannot to be present everywhere