3 min readHyderabadUpdated: Dec 4, 2025 02:58 PM IST
They are former “history-sheeters’’ or “rowdy-sheeters’’, with long police records, who have been brought in by the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate to help regulate traffic. (Express Photo)
Late last month, a new batch of volunteers began assisting traffic police constables at some of Hyderabad’s busiest junctions, wearing white overshirts that read, “I am at crossroads. Reforming myself. Traffic Volunteer.”
They are former “history-sheeters’’ or “rowdy-sheeters’’, with long police records, who have been brought in by the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate to help regulate traffic.
“We are trying out an innovative approach to help people who have reformed themselves and have consistently displayed good behaviour integrate into the mainstream,” said Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu. “They were called history-sheeters or rowdy-sheeters due to their past behaviour and that stigma remains with them even if they try to mend their ways.”
The Rachakonda Commissionerate covers a large area with 47 law-and-order police stations surrounding Hyderabad and is one of the three commissionerates in the region, apart from Hyderabad and Cyberabad. “This initiative aims at social inclusion and helps them gain confidence to live normally in society while benefiting citizens. Reform is possible, and police can assist in that,” Babu said.
Police say there are more than 3,000 history-sheets on repeat offenders listed across stations. “We spend considerable resources on keeping track of these individuals. Some of them have reformed, but many still indulge in crime. We conduct checks by visiting them at their houses, or keep them under surveillance, and provide counselling to those who we think can change and give up crime,” an official said.
As part of efforts to encourage reformation, the Commissionerate launched the initiative to assign “duties’’ that help these individuals regain confidence and reintegrate into society. In November, 70 history-sheeters were identified for training in traffic regulation and commuter guidance. The first batch of 20 was trained at Kushaiguda Police Station, followed by another 20 each at Uppal and LB Nagar police stations. Eventually, all were deployed for the first time to assist traffic police at various junctions, including LB Nagar, Uppal, and ECIL.
All were deployed for the first time to assist traffic police at various junctions, including LB Nagar, Uppal, and ECIL. (Express Photo)
“Traffic constables have a tough job. They stand for long hours in thick and noisy traffic. A little assistance from volunteers goes a long way,” Deputy Commissioner (LB Nagar) Dr B Anuradha said. “After assisting traffic cops on the first day, these individuals were happy and said they got a second chance at life. They regret what they have done in their past and are grateful for an opportunity to serve society,” she said.
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“Around 70 individuals supported traffic regulation and public guidance. This effort is helping them move towards responsible reintegration into society,” the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate said in a statement. Officials said the Commissionerate plans to bring in more former history-sheeters who have given up crime and are showing good behaviour. The initiative, they added, also reduces the effort required to keep them under regular checks or surveillance. “The 60 individuals we are working with at present are eager to help and prove themselves, which is a good start,” an LB Nagar police officer said.
Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance.
Expertise and Experience
Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues:
High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules.
Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes.
Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak.
Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More
All were deployed for the first time to assist traffic police at various junctions, including LB Nagar, Uppal, and ECIL. (Express Photo)
