Policing Dongri With Soft Power

By Manu Shrivastava

Shabana Shaikh is one hell of a policewoman! For one, where others have to threaten with police action, yell their lungs out to get their point across, even launch investigations and ‘raids’ to enforce the law, the Senior Police Inspector chooses to differ and wins...hands down. Armed with oodles of sensitivity and compassion, Shabana Shaikh tackles hard-nosed residents of arguably the most ‘notorious’ zone in South Mumbai – Dongri. 

Having taken charge of the Dongri Police Station, after a successful stint at MRA Marg Police Station, on 12 January 2021, Shabana handles a staff of about ‘200 people including 20 women personnel.’ The experience of 28 eventful years in service hasn't hardened Ms Shaikh as opposed to most others of her rank. 

TROUBLESHOOTER: Senior PI Shabana Shaikh's humane approach
has helped her tackle long-standing issues

To tackle a colossal traffic control issue that had arisen in Dongri after the first lockdown opened up, in January 2021 itself, the lady held a ‘Special Meeting’ with about 100 people at Police Hall. These included members from the Mohalla committees, residents of Dongri’s gallis, members from housing societies, shopkeepers and businessmen. 

It’s here that she explained to them that it was their right to use the road and but had to do it properly, if they wished to use it for their own good. She cited an instance of an elderly man from the neighbourhood who approached her saying how he had suffered immensely when his wife suffered a heart-attack but he could not get a taxi immediately. She said, the couple had to walk all the way to the main road to be able to find a taxi. 

Her heartfelt talks with the residents struck a chord with them and she went on to earn respect among the otherwise belligerent masses already angered with the losses suffered by the lockdown. “I conducted several smaller group meetings with residents in lanes and smaller by-lanes only to sensitise them about traffic issues and the elderly understood, cooperated and chided the rest to fall in line,” she said. 

So, Chawal Galli, Khadak, Dargah Galli, SVP Road - known for encroaching furniture shops and surge of customers spilling over the road – cleared out in time.  

Why, when she had just joined the Dongri Police Station and was patrolling the area, her driver told her that she “could just not enter Buland Darwaza,” she stuck to her ground and “made an entry.” For years, few vehicles could enter the zone “because, apparently, that was how things were,” she said. "But, I decided to do something about it,” recalls Ms Shaikh and made the change, over the months. 

“With traffic blockages, the ones most at risk include pregnant women who have to be rushed for delivery; those having medical emergencies such as heart failures, strokes, etc., even school buses cannot ply to transport children,” she says. That even studying in kindergarten are forced to walk a distance to catch their school bus, owing to traffic snarls, bothered Ms Shaikh. And, she wasn’t going to let it pass. 

So, with the help of locals Samad, Raju, Amin at the furniture market and Manoj and Vandana who ran a Pastry Shop and a dozen others, Shabana Shaikh cleared the entire zone. And, with a smile. 

Not that there was no resistance. There were those who insisted that the change wouldn’t last and that 'Dongri me aisa hi hai,’ but even they have come around to accept the improvement. When they saw Shabana work endlessly during the lockdown, despite having contracted COVID herself, they relented. 

“People are usually kind and receptive. All you need to do is be patient and give them time to overcome their own fears and inhibitions,” says Shabana who recalls how, despite all the fears, “even during Ramazan, shopkeepers would shut shop at 7 pm sharp and respect the deadline.” 

The mutual respect Shabana Shaikh has earned from the locals goes a long way in establishing law and order in the zone. Why, when the Senior PI gave locals a deadline of seven days to mend their ways and adhere to traffic regulations, before she acted, they all fell in line. “There was very little need to take action against them as they had been given the respect they wanted and had no need to resist the police,” she said. 

Today, Dongri local and businessman Iftikar is in a frenzy to ensure his vehicle is parked in place as ‘promised’, just like the others who feel compelled to act within the law, in keeping with assurances made to Madam Shaikh. Shabana Shaikh, on her part, is happy to have built precious ties with a troubled people where few in her position would manage to.

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