Promising a better policing environment to make women feel secure in approaching police, the District Police here has launched a women police station. The first women police station was inaugurated by Dilbag Singh, Director-General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, Dilbag Singh hailed the path-breaking initiative and said that women police stations would help to strengthen family relations and keep the ethos of the united family intact

He said, “Our two officers, Avny and Sargun, are two visible examples of women empowerment in Leh.”

He added, “The status of women has improved now but we still have a long way to go in women empowerment and women development. I congratulate all of you, even though this institution should have been here earlier, at least it is set up now. It will benefit the people. I request SHO Parveen to have a constructive approach to run the police station. Women are doing great in Leh, but there are some issues."

SP Pani, IGP, Kashmir Zone, said that after the govt notification, this is the first women police station which has come across in Kashmir zone with such facilities. We must appreciate the police force for this noble initiative. It is very interesting to find both the SSP and DC are lady officers and they are doing their work outstandingly.” 

“Leh has given a unique model of policing which is not anywhere in the country. Also, with time, we need to be equipped and well-prepared. I am sure that this women police station will come up with new hopes and aspirations. It will handle things better and this can be replicated in other parts of the country,” he added.      

Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner, congratulated the District Police, Leh. 

She said, "The status of women in Ladakh is good but apart from that there are some problems. I have experienced that very few people sort out their problems through institutional mechanism. We try to sort them out at the community level. In a few cases, it is okay to sort it out at the community level but when it comes to crime against women, it is a criminal offence and should be sorted out through efficient mechanism and policing institution.”

Sargun Shukla, SSP, said, "With this initiative, there will be a sense of security and the sense of approachability. Throughout the world, crime rates are increasing. It is not only women who face problems, but men are also equally harassed. Being responsible members of society, it is our moral, ethical and legal duty to ensure safety to them". 

Women generally hesitate to report cases of crimes to the police. Since women could easily narrate an incident to woman cops, this women police station would go a long way in empowering them to report without any hesitation.