Hyderabad – In a significant display of discontent, the wives and family members of police constables from the Armed Reserve (AR) and Telangana State Special Police (TSSP) were forcibly detained by authorities during a protest at Dr. BR Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Friday. The demonstration was part of ongoing statewide protests that began on Police Commemoration Day, October 21, highlighting the grueling working conditions faced by their husbands, who have reportedly been working for 26 consecutive days without a day off. As tensions escalated, scores of women gathered at the Secretariat, voicing their concerns and demanding immediate relief for their husbands.
Their grievances stem from alleged discrimination in duty assignments and a lack of adequate rest, which they argue has turned their spouses' roles into that of laborers rather than dedicated police officers. The protest gained momentum following the suspension of 20 battalion constables earlier this week, a move that has only fueled the determination of their families. In a separate protest on Thursday, wives of the 7th battalion constables in Dichpalli, Nizamabad district, staged a blockade of NH44, asserting their demands for fairer assignments and working conditions.
One poignant voice among the protesters was that of a constable's wife, who, at two months pregnant, expressed her despair to the media about her challenging situation. Struggling with an elderly in-law and an eighteen-month-old son, she lamented, “I should do all the household work and take care of my eighteen-month-old son. Now, I’m two months pregnant. Who will bring the groceries and who will take me to the hospital or for scanning?” Her heartbreaking words encapsulated the struggle many families of constables face, illustrating the personal toll of the demanding nature of police work. The protestors are calling for an eight-hour work shift, fair postings, and work assignments closer to home to alleviate the burden on their families.
As the situation unfolds, the families of police constables remain resolute in their demands, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms within the state's police forces to ensure fair treatment and better working conditions for those who serve and protect. The plight of these families has drawn attention to the broader issues of labor rights and the mental health implications of continuous work without adequate rest in high-stress professions like law enforcement. As the protests continue, the state government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns raised by the wives of constables and make necessary changes for the wellbeing of both officers and their families.