Come “Raksha Bandhan”, August 29, and all the 21 districts in Haryana will have functional Women Police Stations thus making it the State after Tamil Nadu to have such police stations in the country.Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, held a meeting with all Inspector General’s of Police Ranges, District Superintendents of Police through video conferencing here today to review the preparedness for opening Women Police Stations in the State.The Chief Minister said that these police stations would have female staff and function round-the-clock. The buildings of these police stations would be separate from that of main police stations so as to make these more visible to the public.
Each women police station would have one lady Deputy Superintendent of Police, two Sub Inspectors, three assistant Sub Inspectors, four Head Constables and 16 constables. Each police station would also have two Bolero Jeeps, one Tavera and three motorcycles and these would have female drivers. Also, all the 35 women PCRs would be attached to these women police stations.The Chief Minister said that these police stations would be inaugurated simultaneously in all districts on the eve of Raksha Bandhan on August 28. He directed that apart from Ministers and MLAs, women of the concerned area having outstanding contribution in the field of social work, sports, education should also be invited to attend the inaugural functions of the women police stations. He also directed the officers to ensure maximum participation of women on this day so as to disseminate the message of women empowerment throughout the country.
The Chief Minister also directed the officers to ensure wide publicity of these Women Police Stations at the places having large women population like schools, colleges and other public places so that maximum women could avail the facility of these police stations. He also directed the officers to circulate the phone number of these police stations well in advance and also upload the same on the website of police departmentIt was informed that phone number of all the police stations would have 1091 as last four digits which is also the number of women help line.Manohar Lal directed that Counseling Centers should be set up in the premises of these police stations so as to dispose off various issues like family disputes, dowry cases through mediation. It was informed that the office of Women and Child Welfare Officer would be set up in the premises of these Police Stations so as to solve such cases through mutual consent.
The Chief Minister described police as the face of the government and said that the aim of the police should not only to register cases but also to curb the crime and punish the criminals.
He said that the State Government is committed to ensure women empowerment in the State and directed the police to provide such an atmosphere to the women where they could talk freely. He also directed them to conduct fair investigation in case of crime against women. He said that both man and woman are equal in the eyes of law and the police should take this in consideration while discharging the duty. With the setting up of separate police stations for women, more women would come to register cases, he added.Expressing concern over the number of complaints against police received through Chief Minister’s Window, he directed the officers to start early investigation into the complaints as these are marked to the department so that the faith of general public towards police could be enhanced.
Earlier, Director General of Police, Mr Y.P.Singhal informed the Chief Minister that initially women police stations would be set up in the old buildings of police department and other government departments. Many such buildings have been identified and were being renovated. Efforts were being made to get the possession of these buildings by August 15. He said that purchase order for vehicles to be provided to these police stations has been placed and these vehicles would be delivered by August 20. He said that Rs 1.16 crore has been sanctioned for the purchase of new furniture which would be delivered in all women police stations by August 15. Similarly, the detailed standing orders would be passed soon regarding the functioning of these police stations.
Under this, the aggrieved party would be given discretion whether they wanted to register complaint in their nearest police station or in women police station of their district. Similarly, they would be given the option to transfer investigation to other police station but the investigation would be carried out by the women police officer only.He said 15 days special training has been imparted to the lady Inspectors about the functioning of Station House Officer at Police Academy, Madhuban in Karnal. He said that one lady Inspector has already been posted in every district. At present there were 3000 women police personnel in the State and about 25 to 30 such personnel would be deputed in each women police station.Those present on the occasion included Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr D.S Dhesi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Sanjeev Kaushal, Special Principal Secretary Mr R.K. Khullar, Home Secretary Mr P.K. Mahapatra, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr P.K. Das, ADGP (CID) Mr Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, ADGP (Law and Order) Mr Muhammad Akil and other senior officers.