Are There Really 18 Harassment Cases Against Women Police in Odisha Over 3 Years?
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Synopsis
In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has revealed alarming statistics, reporting 18 harassment cases against women police personnel over three years. This disclosure raises significant concerns about the safety and treatment of women in law enforcement, prompting discussions on necessary reforms and protective measures.
Key Takeaways
- 18 cases of harassment against women police personnel reported.
- Strict legal action taken against accused individuals.
- Implementation of Internal Complaints Committees under POSH Act.
- Regular staff training on conduct and workplace norms.
- 40,947 total cases of crimes against women in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 1 (NationPress) In light of increasing concerns regarding crimes against women in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed on Sunday that there have been 18 recorded cases of harassment involving women police personnel over a span of three years, specifically from 2023 to September 2025.
CM Majhi shared this information while responding to a question posed by Senior BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb during the Odisha Assembly session on Monday.
The reported cases span various police stations and offices located in Balangir, Sundargarh, Rourkela, Rayagada, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Boudh, Bhubaneswar, and Balasore.
The Chief Minister further informed the assembly that strict legal actions have been initiated against all individuals accused in these cases.
To foster a safer working environment for women within police agencies, the Chief Minister outlined several initiatives that have been implemented. These include regular staff briefings and sensitization on conduct protocols and workplace standards, the mandatory establishment of Internal Complaints Committees at all police stations and offices under the POSH Act, extensive CCTV surveillance, and necessary infrastructural improvements for enhanced safety.
He emphasized that all incidents of violence against women personnel are classified as special cases, receiving oversight from senior district officials.
The Odisha Government has also provided gender-sensitization training for female staff and has constructed separate restroom facilities to ensure a secure working atmosphere.
In addition, stringent anti-harassment regulations, maternity and childcare provisions, along with grievance redressal systems, are in effect at police stations and offices.
Notably, an Odisha Police Subedar was apprehended in October this year for allegedly sexually exploiting a woman sub-inspector (SI), following promises of marriage.
Overall, there have been 40,947 reported cases of crimes against women in Odisha, a slight increase from 40,771 cases documented between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the persistent issues of safety and harassment faced by women in law enforcement. This report not only underscores the challenges but also emphasizes the responsibility of the government to implement effective measures for the protection and empowerment of women in all sectors.
NationPress
01/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many harassment cases have been reported against women police in Odisha?
There have been 18 reported cases of harassment against women police personnel in Odisha over the last three years.
What actions have been taken against the accused in these harassment cases?
Strict legal actions have been initiated against all individuals accused in these harassment cases.
What measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of women police personnel?
The government has introduced various measures including gender-sensitization training, the establishment of Internal Complaints Committees, and improvements in workplace infrastructure.
What are the recent statistics on crimes against women in Odisha?
A total of 40,947 crimes against women have been reported in Odisha, marking a slight increase from previous statistics.
Are there specific protocols for addressing violence against women personnel?
Yes, all cases of violence against women personnel are treated as special cases and are closely monitored by senior district officers.
