Hills get first all women police station

SNS, Darjeeling, 15 July 2015: The first all women police station for the Darjeeling hills was finally declared functional today by the superintendent of police, Darjeeling, Ambit P PJavalgi at Chowk Bazaar.

"The formation of the all women police station is a government initiative. The inauguration of this women's police station was done by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on 7 February last year from Kolkata via remote control to cater to crimes against women in the regions," said Mr Javalgi. When asked what took theme so long to functionalise the women police station in Darjeeling, he laid, "That is because of technical and accommodation issues."

According to him, -This is the first all women police statitan under the Darjeeling police district. There is another such police stations in Siliguri, but that falls under the Siliguri police commissionerate." Notably them Siliguri police commissionerate was created by bifurcating the existing Darjeeling police district and Jalpaiguri police district in the year 2012. Apart from Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, places like Phansidewa, Kliaribari, Jaldhaka and Gorubathan also falls under the Darjeeling police district.

Mr Javalgi said: "In the Darjeeling hills we often come across crimes such as molestation, domestic violence, human trafficking and the likes. In some cases, women feel uneasy to lodge a complaint. However, now the women will no longer feel uneasy in the all women police station and can easily open up with the lady officers posted there. A counselling unit for the crime victims is also available here"

The women police station has one officer in charge, 1 assistant sub-inspector and six constables. The woman cell of the Darjeeling has been merged with the women police station as a result of which eight members of the women cell will also be working there.