Scripting a new chapter in women-friendly policing, khaki-clad women on Thursday handled the entire administrative and law and order responsibilities at five police stations within the Kozhikode city limits as part of the International Women’s Day observance.

The five stations — Kasaba, Panniyankara, Elathur, Mavoor, and Chemmangad — functioned under the control of woman station house officers (SHO) who were deputed by the District Police Chief (Kozhikode city).

Celebrating the occasion, the officers hosted special events including a reception to women who had made outstanding contributions to various fields. The Mavoor police station honoured eight such women who were short-listed from various fields. A.K. Jameela, who was given the charge of SHO for the day, coordinated the event and felicitated the women.

T.P. Banisha, a civil police officer (CPO) attached to the Mavoor police station, said it was for the first time that women personnel had got an opportunity as a group in charge of the entire responsibilities of a station, including the General Diary responsibility. They recorded all major incidents that happened within the station limits on Thursday. “We had the support of five women to handle the job, and the rush was moderate,” she said.

At the Kasaba station, there were seven women personnel to handle administrative affairs and law and order issues. To mark the day, CPOs accorded a warm reception to Circle Inspector Shanty Cyriac who assumed charge as SHO. The CPOs said that many of them had prior experience in handling duties, but doing everything on their own created some joyful moments.“It was a wonderful experience, and we shared the delight among ourselves by greeting the SHO with a bouquet,” said C. Sajitha, a CPO at Kasaba station.

“All our team members performed well in their assigned duties such as reception counter management, case registration, and counselling service,” she pointed out.

At the Elathoor station, Sub Inspector Raziya Bengalath led five women personnel in discharging duties. Most of them were busy with the routine administrative duties as the number of complaints was minimal. The SHO said that she had received only one complaint till Thursday evening, and that it was temporarily settled through mediation. The complained pertained to a property dispute between two bus owners from Elathur, she added.

Assistant Commissioner K.P. Abdul Razak said that the purpose of the novel observance was to highlight the need for women empowerment. There had been no such celebrations in the past covering the five major stations within the city limits, he pointed out.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter / March 09th, 2018