Andhra Pradesh Minister for Home Affairs and Disaster Management Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday, 16 June declared the state government's firm commitment to making Andhra Pradesh the safest state in India, citing measurable gains in law enforcement, women's safety, and technology-driven crime prevention over the past two years. Speaking at a press conference in Amaravati, Anitha outlined a multi-pronged strategy built on public participation, police-public coordination, and digital surveillance.

Crime Rate and Law Enforcement Gains

The minister stated that since the coalition government assumed office under Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the overall crime rate in the state has dropped by approximately 14.1 per cent. She attributed this decline to the use of technology, efficient surveillance systems, scientific investigation methods, and improved inter-departmental coordination.

Anitha noted that the government has shifted toward proactive crime detection through what she described as 'invisible policing' — deploying CCTV cameras, drones, AI-based analysis, and digital surveillance systems. She added that conviction rates are being improved by closely monitoring the movements of known offenders, accelerating evidence collection, and expediting investigations.

Women's Safety: Shakti App and Dedicated Wings

The minister emphasised that the government treats women's safety as its top priority, stating that 'true independence is achieved only when a woman can walk fearlessly on the streets even at midnight.' To that end, the government has established dedicated women's protection wings, district-specific security systems, and a technology-driven emergency response mechanism — the 'Shakti' app.

According to Anitha, the Shakti app has so far received over 11.15 lakh emergency SOS calls, with immediate action taken on each. Special monitoring protocols for crimes against women are also in place, she said.

Operation Muskaan and Child Safety

Anitha highlighted the success of 'Operation Muskaan', a state initiative launched to identify missing children, women, and the elderly and reunite them with their families. Through this programme, 8,396 missing individuals have been identified and returned to their families, a figure she described as reflecting 'the humane side of the police department.'

On child protection, the minister said the government treats POCSO cases with the 'utmost sensitivity,' with special investigation teams, expedited forensic testing, and a dedicated prosecution system in place. So far, 2,293 children have received counselling and rehabilitation services.

Systemic Reforms and the Road Ahead

Anitha claimed that systems previously 'confined to serving political interests' have been restructured into an administration focused on public service and accountability. She said the government views maintaining law and order not as a display of authority, but as a responsibility to earn public trust.

Comprehensive reforms, she said, have been implemented across law and order, drug control, cybercrime, disaster management, prison reform, and police welfare over the past two years. The government's stated goal is to prevent crimes before they occur, rather than responding after the fact. Whether the pace of institutional reform can sustain these early gains will be the defining test of this public safety push.