THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Almost repeating what he said last year, home minister Ramesh Chennithala has said that the number of women in the state police force will be increased to 10 per cent within two years.
The home minister made the announcement during the inauguration of the National Conference of Women Police here on Monday. During the inauguration of last year's conference in November, he had said that women representation in the police force would be made above 10 per cent by 2016.
The only positive development over the last one year is a one per cent increase in the number of women officers from five per cent, thanks to the recruitment of over 400 women cops.
With decks being cleared for direct selection of women sub inspectors, the number of women cops could see some improvement in the coming years, sources pointed out.
Speakers at the conference stressed the need for ensuring better working conditions so that more women would be attracted to the force.
"We will be chalking out a plan for improving the working conditions for women in police," said the home minister.
State police chief T. P. Senkumar said male police officials need to change their perceptions as efforts are being taken to enhance representation of women in the force. "It is not only a matter of increasing representation of women, but their services should be used more effectively," he said.
Additional chief secretary (Home) Nalini Netto, ADGP Intelligence A. Hemachandran, Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Police Academy director Aruna Bahuguna and ADGP South zone K. Padmakumar also spoke on the need for enhancing women representation. Actress Anu Hassan also spoke at the inaugural session.
Women police officials from various states are participating in the two-day event to discuss various issues being faced by women police officers.
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