MARGAO: Even as crimes against women are rampant in the villages of Salcete, some police stations in the taluka do not have female police officers posted on duty to deal with cases like rape, kidnapping and assault.
The Women’s Cell based in Margao has two female police inspectors and six lady police sub inspectors (LPSI), two main stations do not have postings of LPSI.
Police sources said that the Fatorda and Maina –Curtorim police stations, that regularly deal with cases of sexual assault and kidnapping of women, do not have any lady police officers. The other three, Margao, Cuncolim and Colva police stations have LPSI.
A police officer who did not want to be identified said that a woman who has been raped has the right to record her statement in private, in front of the magistrate, or with a lady constable or sub-inspector, without being overheard by anyone else. Under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, female victims are entitled to privacy and need to be able to relate their experiences without being stressed out.
The posting of women in the police station helps empower female victims, and also reduces crime against women, said the officer. Female police personnel also perform tasks like escorting female prisoners, helping policemen in investigations that concern female victims and are also put on watch duty of female suspects, he added, stressing the need for LPSI at all police stations.
