"The decomposed bodies would just float for days—the lake was divided between different policing zones and nobody wanted to take responsibility," recalls C.V. Anand, deputy commissioner of the city’s central zone and thus in charge of the entire three-km wide area of the lake since 2001.
Anand had his own personal ghosts. Childhood memories of bloated bodies bobbing up along the lake’s banks always haunted him. Eight months ago, he created a force to fight his old bugaboo: a special Lake Police, whose personnel would also check pick-pocketing, eve-teasing or prostitution around the lake, while trying to prevent as many suicides as possible. The project has already recorded 25 successes.
Thanks to generous private donations, the special anti-suicide squad of the force is equipped with innovative props. A high-resolution surveillance camera with night-vision capabilities—which Anand claims is the first of its kind in the country—has now been mounted on a 55-foot tower. The camera is able to pan, focus or zoom in on anything along the banks of the lake with the help of a remote-controlled device attached to cellphones. There’s a specially fitted patrolling jeep to keep an eye on any suspicious activity in the lake area on a 24-hour basis. A dozen people already owe their lives to the team of gajaeethagallus—expert divers—specially recruited from fishing families of coastal Andhra—they rush in on a boat every time someone is reported to be jumping or walking into the lake.
"The actual act of saving someone’s life only lasts a few minutes but the follow-up is as crucial and can last from a few days to several months. It depends on the person’s response and family support," says Anand. But an emotional buffer comes in the form of sub-inspector Madhavi Latha. The counsellor, who starts her healing process soon after the person is rescued, lends depth to what could have otherwise remained a basic patrolling initiative. After hearing out the victim, Latha assesses the situation and decides when the family needs to be involved in the rehabilitation process. "Personal interaction with the family is very important. Their cooperation is vital to the success of the programme," she says. If a person is averse to going back home, they are even given shelter in the police station till they feel ready to face their families again. In keeping with the norms, all attempted suicides are registered under Section 130 of the Indian Penal Code. However, Anand claims his team is instructed to shut the case after registering it and ensure there is no further harassment.
The involvement of the Lake Police team doesn’t end here. In cases where bitter family disputes form the backdrop to suicide bids, Anand claims the constable accompanies the person back home and even stays on for a few days to ensure peace. All cases are individually referred to Rakshaa, an NGO specialising in family counselling.
Meanwhile, in spite of a high success rate, Anand says his divers need faster boats, proper wet suits and oxygen tanks to be more effective. The waters of the Hussainsagar are so dirty that every time the divers jump into it their skin breaks out in rashes. Also, the level of pollution makes it impossible to dive beyond 25 feet without oxygen, while the depth of the lake often goes beyond 40 feet. The police also need extra funds to increase fencing and lighting around desolate spots along the banks of the lake to prevent suicides. C.V. Anand can be contacted at: (040)-23241516, (0)9848012439, or e-mail: cvanand99@yahoo.com
