An important necessity thrown up by the unprecedented and prolonged militancy in the country in general and the State of Jammu and Kashmir in particular is of increasing the number of women cops in police service to meet the challenge that civilian population and especially the women are facing. Unfortunately, the canker of gang rape of defenseless women has spread in wide sections of society. This necessitates taking firm and decisive steps to curb the menace. For this reason also, we need larger number of women cops in police force so that the issues pertaining to woman victimization are dealt with efficiently.
The number of women cops in the State Police force is just 3.42 per cent of the total police force which is much less than the national statistics of 5.33 per cent. Secondly, the facilities that are specifically needed to keep the women cops in trim and efficiently deployed are somewhat lacking in our State. It is in view of these conditions that the Union Home Ministry has issued a directive to the State Government to take some substantial steps for improving working condition and to provide more facilities to the women cops. The directive from the Home Ministry desires that the State Government includes several proposals in the State Action Plan under the Scheme of Modernization of State Police Force. It has to be reminded that the Home Minister has already sanctioned the plan of modernization of J&K State Police organization not only in terms of training, upgrading of arms, salaries, emoluments, care for wards of the slain cops and benefits to the wards of the policemen but also in regard to the welfare of the families of cops and providing job opportunities to deserving wards.
However, in its directive the Home Ministry has pointed out that the Parliamentary Commission on Empowerment of Women clearly states that infrastructural needs of women cops have to be provided. Generally, the cops are required to render service for long hours and also be in the field for long time. The women cops have also to look to their families apart from the professional duties which they are required to render. The directive clearly states that the graph of crime against women has gone high in our country and this necessitates increasing the number of women cops so that investigation into cases of crime against women is carried on expeditiously. Talking about infrastructural facilities, it is important that there should be the arrangement of toilets and rest rooms for women cops at all police stations, barracks and police posts. Also space has to be provided at these posts, stations and barracks where women cops can deposit their clothing and other personal belongings. At the same time, security of women cops especially when deployed in field has to be ensured. It is highly desirable that women cops should be posted as close to their residence as is possible so that they are facilitated in their social responsibilities also. It will be unjust for the women cops to be asked to perform over time duty resulting in their return to home very late at night. Care has to be taken that the family life of women cops is not disrupted nor are their children made to suffer their educational pursuits.
In regard to increasing the strength of women cops in the police organization, we would strongly recommend that opportunity should be given to women of far flung areas and villages where civil administration is rather weak and crimes take place rapidly. Locally recruited police cops would be a great help in curbing lawlessness in their local areas and especially in strengthening security scenario in the case of women in rural areas.
Women cops need to be given encouragement for rendering meritorious service to the nation. We would like that more and more women cops are given medals and awards for efficient service. President’s medals for the women police officers and other ranks have always had very encouraging impact on the police force and generated self confidence. More awards and more medals should be announced for the women cops. Women cops already in service can become the conduit between the State and the people for strengthening public relations. We have many talented women in our society who are capable of rendering precious service especially when the State is going through period of turmoil and disorder unleashed by external agencies. They have to be encouraged and engaged in national service productively. Home Ministry has dropped a hint that it would extend its support in any reformative measure taken in the interests of women cops in the State Police organization. This opportunity should be seized at all cost.
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