Hyderabad's Innovative Rehabilitation Program: Former Criminals Now Managing City Traffic

The Rachakonda Police in Hyderabad have implemented an innovative rehabilitation strategy by involving 70 history-sheeters in traffic management responsibilities.

In this groundbreaking initiative, these individuals with criminal records participated in directing traffic, providing guidance to commuters, and educating the public about traffic violations at various junctions throughout the city on Wednesday. They worked alongside volunteers and traffic constables.

On social media platform X, the Rachakonda Police stated, "Introduced a reform-led initiative by engaging history-sheeters in traffic management at key junctions. Around 70 individuals supported traffic regulation and public guidance. This effort is helping them move towards responsible reintegration into society."

The Rachakonda Police Commissionerate currently maintains 3,017 history sheets, which include 745 rowdy sheets and 2,138 suspect sheets across its various police stations.

Traditional policing methods typically monitor history-sheeters, especially rowdy-sheeters, through regular surveillance, frequent checks, counseling sessions, and close observation of their activities.

However, the Rachakonda police have chosen this reformative approach as an innovative method to engage individuals under police surveillance in constructive ways.

According to an official release, the history-sheeters expressed joy and pride at being given this opportunity. They reported experiencing a renewed sense of purpose by serving citizens rather than facing societal stigma for their past actions.

The statement noted, "This exercise is a method to reform in a modern way by gaining the confidence of history-sheeters to involve them in activities to benefit citizens."

Plans are underway to include other individuals under police surveillance in similar reform measures.

Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu emphasized that this effort aims to bring positive change to society. The Rachakonda Police Commissionerate is one of three Police Commissionerates operating within Greater Hyderabad.