UNDER CONSTANT criticism for growing number of atrocities on women and failure of the Mahila police stations to deal with such cases, the State police department is seriously considering to set up a ‘Women’s Desk’ at each police station in the State.
It will exclusively deal with the cases related to the fair sex.
As a corollary to this, all the existing Mahila police stations in 11 districts may be wound up though the cops are still divided on their utility.
The proposal awaiting approval by the Police Headquarters, Allahabad, was made after a departmental committee headed by IG (Technical Services) Sulkhan Singh made a strong case for setting up of a desk, exclusively for women, in each police station of the district.
This was disclosed by Deputy SP Deepika Agnihotri while representing the police department at the planning department sub-committee’s second meeting held to discuss the steps taken by various departments to empower women. The meeting was held in Yojna Bhawan on Friday. The idea of Women’s Desk evoked an instant applause from the participants, mostly women, as soon as the lady cop, posted in the Women’s Counseling Centre at the CB-CID headquarters, came out with the revelation.
In fact, the idea of establishing Women’s Desk for speedy disposal of cases related to atrocities on women was first mooted at a high-level workshop on ‘Women Empowerment’ held here on March 12, 2003 on the suggestion of the National Commission for Women. Then directed by the Stat Government, the CB-CID appointed a committee under the chairmanship of IG, Sulkhan Singh. The committee got suggestions from all district police chiefs who lauded the idea of setting up of a Women’s Desk. The committee forwarded its recommendations to the CB-CID over a month back.
{{/usCountry}}In fact, the idea of establishing Women’s Desk for speedy disposal of cases related to atrocities on women was first mooted at a high-level workshop on ‘Women Empowerment’ held here on March 12, 2003 on the suggestion of the National Commission for Women. Then directed by the Stat Government, the CB-CID appointed a committee under the chairmanship of IG, Sulkhan Singh. The committee got suggestions from all district police chiefs who lauded the idea of setting up of a Women’s Desk. The committee forwarded its recommendations to the CB-CID over a month back.
{{/usCountry}}As per the recommendations, each Women’s Desk will comprise at least three constables, and one sub-inspector. The Women’s Desk will be responsible for registering complaints from the women victims and maintain all the relevant records. They could also do networking with local women hospitals, women counseling cells, women help line and trauma centres. They are also supposed to have addresses and telephone numbers of the local NGOs working for eradication of evils like prostitution and other women-related crimes. The committee also recommended that the strength of female personnel in the police department be increased by 10 per cent.
IG (Technical Services) Sulkhan Singh told the Hindustan Times that committee was of the view that 1-2 male cops could also be there in each Women’s Desk.
“Male-female mix brings about more discipline,” he said. However, the male cops, the committee recommended, needed training in gender sensitisation. Singh said Women’s Desk, if set up, would basically be meant for primary interface with the women who had their problems and required a friendly atmosphere at police stations.