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Men to man women's police stations in Orissa

Bibhuti Mishra in Bhubaneshwar

Male officers will soon man women's police stations in Orissa after nightfall. The decision follows complaints by policewomen that they felt unsafe in the night!

There are four women's police stations in the state - one each in Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur. These police stations were set up to help rape and dowry victims.

The decision, which was recently communicated by Director General of Police S K Chatterjee at a seminar in Bhubaneswar, has come in for flak from all sides.

"It defeats the very purpose of having women's police stations. How can women come to these police stations looking for protection, if the women police officers themselves feel insecure. It sends a wrong signal, doesn't it?" said a male police officer requesting anonymity.

Tathagata Satpathy, former member of Parliament and editor of leading Oriya daily Dharitri agrees. "It is ridiculous. Women police should be well equipped to handle anti-socials and violence. These police stations are aimed at dispelling the impression that women are weak. Now what happens if a woman goes to a women's police station and finds a man there?" he asks.

The state police department, however, feel that the security of policewomen must be taken into account. "A beginning has been made in women's police stations. Once these officers gain confidence, they can start working the night shift too," said a senior officer.

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