Morung File Photo
Morung Express Feature
Dimapur | September 6
The Women Cell of Dimapur district police was set up in May 2002. Seven years down the line, it has been quite a journey for the “fairer side” of the District Enforcement Force.
With two rooms allotted during its inception in the first floor of the East Police Station, the Cell shares space with the present Police Control Room. Only this year it was upgraded to three. The present three rooms consist of the O\C’s room, Staff Room and the third, the Duty Officer’s room, the room where all cases are examined. It also acts as the ‘interrogation room’. The Women Cell at present has around 35 personnel led by an interim O\C of Sub-Inspector rank. Five to six personnel are assigned for duty per shift led by the duty officer, excepting emergencies.
Despite the bare basic facilities they have been provided with, they are doing a commendable job, aside from it premises being maintained satisfactorily tidy. On top of that, their jurisdiction spans the entire district, all with so limited manpower (read “womanpower”).
Back home they have a still more challenging task—caring for the family; after all behind the domineering “khakee” uniform they are also a toting mother, loving wife, caring sister. Regardless, they are an uncomplaining lot.
Leaving aside a few, almost all of the personnel are married and with children. Attending duty for a major portion of the 24 hours day\night cycle, it is amazing how they manage their time.
Women that they are, of late they have also been doing “Good Samaritan” works, so to speak, alongside their regular duties. Having to deal with cases relating to mostly women and minors (children) that require a whole lot of composure and empathy, they also have the added task of taking care of their welfare.
There have been certain instances, in fact many, when they had gone out of their way looking after the wellbeing of detainees and victims alike. It is learned the basic expenses of the lock up inmates, quite often, are met from their own pockets.
There was one case as recent as last month. One girl was found in a vulnerable condition from the railway station. She was believed to be in an extreme state of shock and required medical attention. With no known relatives coming forward to claim the girl, the ladies in uniform on compassionate grounds bore the girl’s medical expenses during her weeklong stay in the hospital. Later, it is learned one charity organisation came forward to take care of her.
There was another case where one girl (a minor) remained under their care for nearly two weeks. The girl (a domestic help) it is learned was rescued from her employers. It is said that the girl had underwent untold suffering under her former employers. They had even named her Neha after a popular character of a well known Hindi soap opera. She was also handed over to a local charity home under whose care she is going to school now. The girls still fondly remembers them as “aunty women police” it is learned. Like these, there are many other such instances when they had to out of their regular realm of duty out of compassion.
