Kupwara: Extra-marital affairs and educational backwardness in some areas of Kupwara are turning out to be main reasons for strained relations between married couples, which badly impacts the future of their children, says a Woman police officer.
Lady Inspector, Dalbir Kour, who heads the Women’s Police station Kupwara.
Notably, officials at the station have resolved dozens of cases amicably by counselling and holding deliberations between parties.“
“Extra-maritial affairs is a major reason for strained relations between a married couple. This badly impacts the future of children in most of such cases,” Kour, told Curtain Raiser.
Much to the respite of women facing different forms of abuse mostly the domestic violence, a Women’s police station in frontier Kupwara district is rendering it’s services round the clock.
Notably, the much-awaited police station is in operation since last year, decades after the Jammu and Kashmir police was formed in the Union Territory.
The police station has so far registered around two dozen cases of domestic violence and atrocities against women.
“Educational backwardness and lack of exposure among people in some areas of district have been a reason for an increase in cases of abuse against women,” said Kour.
“We strive to resolve cases amicably. Against hundreds of complaints received here during past two years, only 28 FIR’s have been registered so far,” she added.
Usually, the officials engage concerned parties in deliberations to resolve the issues between them, according to Kour.
There has been a spike in cases of domestic violence across India during COVID-19 lockdown.
Kupwara Women’s police station received around a dozen complaints of atrocities against women during the lockdown.
Police station has encouraged the women of the district to rise against any form of abuse. Earlier women would bear the brunt of unprecedented excesses but stay silent.
“We gave women a sense of belongingness and ensure their privacy in all situations,” said, SHO Kour.
“With collective efforts and awareness deep rooted crimes like dowry and abuse against women could be eradicated in society. Many such complaints have been received to date,” she added.
It is not necessary to register FIR in every case and file charge sheet in the Hon’ble court but the focus should be to resolve cases amicably by involving both the parties, says the lady police officer.
“Conflcit between husband and wife badly impacts future of their children. If at all, we fail to resolve the dispute at the station, we refer the case to Hon’ble Court as per procedure” said Kour.
“As a female, I understand how hard is it to share the personal feeling and experience of domestic violence before a male police officer due to which many females prefer to remain silent,” she added.
At least 34 women constables and half a dozen male policemen are posted at the station.
Males too can file their complaints at the station. The station has two separate lockups for men and women.
“Efficient working of the police station wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation and support of our top police officers in the district.” said Dalbir Kour.
