The Opposition Congress on Monday asked the BJP Government in Haryana to equip all-women police stations of the State with modern gadgets and weaponry in order to fight crime against women in an effective manner.
During question hour, Congress MlA and former Minister Geeta Bhukkal lashed out at the State Government saying, “While women police stations have been set up, they lack gadgets and other necessary equipment like modern weapons, including assault rifles. In such a scenario, how can we expect these police stations to fight crime against women in an effective mannerIJ”
Bhukkal had sought to know the number of Mahila police stations set up in the State till date, sanctioned strength of women staff in these stations, cases registered per police station and those solved, challans produced in courts etc.
Replying to the question, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma informed that 22 Mahila police stations have been set up in the State so far.
These all-women police stations were inaugurated in August 2015 by Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar.
Sharma also informed the House that the sanctioned strength of women staff for these stations is 1,640 while 701 staff members have been deployed. The Mahila police stations territorial jurisdiction is of the entire district to investigate crime against women, he said, adding these stations are almost exclusively manned by women police officers, except for a few male colleagues for auxiliary duties.
"The Mahila police stations have been created to have a more women-friendly environment, thus encouraging the victims to come forth with their complaints and ensure that they are dealt with priority and sensitivity," Sharma said.
Sharma said out of the 45,000-strong State police force, 3,204 are women officers
He also informed that so far, 3483 cases have been registered at women police stations, out of which 2949 cases have been solved while 2089 challans have put in Court.
Cabinet Minister Kavita Jain went onto blame previous Congress Government for high rate of crime against women and said that during Congress’ regime, cases like Apna Ghar shelter home, Mirchpur incident among others have taken place.
Following this, the BJP and Congress legislators leveled allegations against each other. The Speaker then intervened to pacify the situation.