A woman SHO for Mandi Ahmedgarh, a first in Sangrur dist

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Nov 27

The Police Department has appointed a woman as Station House Officer of the local police station, a first in the region. Besides boosting morale of working women, girls and domestic help, the move is expected to facilitate decorum at public places as also police stations.

Malerkotla SP Gurpreet Singh Sikand said the woman incumbent had been deployed keeping in view the coming Assembly elections.

“Sub-Inspector Balwinder Kaur, who had a long experience of handling cases of domestic violence and crime against women, has been posted as SHO at the city police station,” said Sikand, maintaining that a majority of office-bearers and activists of the local organisations have appreciated the step taken by the department.

Terming her appointment as a routine job, Balwinder said: “Like any other designated officer, I have a big responsibility on my shoulders which can be fulfilled only with the cooperation of law-abiding citizens and guidance of my seniors in the department. I feel I have to set a good example for my successors, may be males of females. I also believe that now all members of my staff will feel motivated,” she said. Balwinder Kaur maintaining that she had already asked all beat officers to organise meetings with the office-bearers and activists of various social and religious organisations of their respective areas.

As a Station House Officer, Balwinder would be responsible for maintaining law and order at one of the most upscale locality of Sangrur district, besides slums and localities situated on the outskirts of the town. Geographical location of the area under her jurisdiction is more difficult to look after as it is surrounded by localities falling under Ludhiana Commissionerate, Ludh ana (rural) and Khanna police districts, besides the Sangrur police district.

Enhanced surveillance and social policing by involving local volunteers are major points of her strategy to check crime against women and children, besides curbing drug addiction and thefts.