Theni All Women Police Station wins national honour

It is only because of the determined efforts of the Department of Police and its creativity that the Theni AWPS has achieved this rare feat with creditable national ranking points.

The AWPS is stationed near Theni’s new Circuit House. The Theni district has already made strides in 2018, when Periyakulam police station was ranked eighth in India, sources said.

Former Theni Superintendent of Police S. Baskaran, while speaking to DT Next on Sunday, said according top priority in the delivery of right solution to petitioners in many cases and more importantly the efficient and timely disposal of cases, earned this new recognition.

With facilities like recreational park in place, potable water, green environment, child-friendly atmosphere and toilets, the petitioners, who approached this station, felt at home. They never felt any inconvenience while approaching the police, who derived immense pleasure from feedback of the petitioners. During his tenure this year, over 1,000 petitions were disposed of after providing satisfactory solutions, he said.

According to Inspector of Theni All Women Police PKT. Mangaiyar Thilagam, cases concerning domestic abuse, the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012, dowry harassment and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 were mostly filed for a suitable solution to petitioners covering two sub divisions of Theni and Periyakulam.

A total of nine police stations (Law and Order) have been functioning under these two sub-divisions, the inspector said. Only after providing adequate counselling to the petitioners, who seek action to solve cases, FIR would be filed. So far this year, 28 cases, including 12 under the Pocso Act, have been filed and necessary action taken.

Based on multi-dimensional assessments made by a four-member team from New Delhi in this AWPS on October 22, and after verifying documents of three years since 2017, the feat could be accomplished.

During 2017, as many as 896 petitions were received and 27 cases booked, and around 900 petitions were received in 2018 and 33 cases filed. Twenty eight cases have so far been booked this year, the inspector said. This station came into existence on March 7, 1994, after the late J. Jayalalithaa, former Chief Minister, dedicated it to the public. Later, the station was made operational from a government-owned building since February 5, 2004. Now, the AWPS, with 30 personnel, has been equipped with a fire extinguisher, solid waste management system and ‘do’s and don’ts’ caution board with illustrations and features for the differently-abled to access the station, the inspector said.