- 70 -

PART – III

- 71 -

CHAPTER – I

HOUSING FACILITIES

- 72 -

HOUSING FACILITIES

A human being compares himself with a bird when it comes to building

one‘s own house for comfortable life time stay along with the family

members.

However, it is not possible for every human being to have a luxury of owing

a house and even if one has one‘s own house in the native it is of no use

because of a job somewhere far away from it.

The police personnel‘s problem of housing facility goes back to the colonial

rules when the horse stables in the towns were converted into quarters of

the lower rung police men. A constable had to accommodate his entire

family in a tiny house comprising one room and a kitchen.

The bathroom and latrine in this house are too small to accommodate even a

moderately obsess person.

In the event of arrival of guests, the host, i.e., constable may have to sleep

in the common outside his house to provide hospitality to the guests.

The vestiges of the British raj police system are still found in the old and

dilapidated quarters allotted to the constables in Gondal police line in

Rajkot (rural) district.

The commonest problem of the police personnel at the lower and middle

echelon of the hierarchy is woefully inadequate housing facilities especially

in the urban areas where the police lines are located in the congested

localities. The old and dilapidated quarter with sipping ceilings has

virtually become a synonym for "Police housing".

The police men are expected to perform duty at odd hours but they have to

spend a sleepless night in a congested house more often than not. How can a

- 73 -

police constable be expected to maintain equanimity while dealing with the

public after spending a night under woeful conditions.

However, the Government of Gujarat has made sincere efforts to mitigate

plights of the constabulary with construction of quarters through

G.S.P.H.C.-Gujarat State Police Housing Corporation.

The Corporation every year takes up construction of police staff quarters of

different categories based on priorities accorded by Director General of Police,

Gujarat State. The places where the quarters were handed over as referred to

above include Dahod, Junagadh, Mehmadavad, Godhra, Dhoraji, Udhna,

Vadodara etc.

Up to March, 2009, the Corporation handed over total 15985 quarters of different

categories to the State Government. While from the date of its inception, by end of

March, 2009, the Corporation took up construction of total 21685 quarters.

During the financial year 2008-09, the State Government provided total Rs. 98.50

crores through the budgetary allocations for undertaking construction of

residential, non-residential buildings & maintenance & repairs for Police

department. This amount also includes funds provided by the Central Government

under the scheme of "Modernization of Police Force" (MPF). During the year

2008-09, the Corporation took up construction of 3576 residential & 48 non-

residential units / buildings for police personnel.

For the financial year 2009-10, the State Government had made budgetary

provision of Rs. 65.50 crores for construction of residential, non-residential

buildings and for repairs & maintenance activities. During the year 2009-10, so

far, the Corporation has already completed and handed over 1915 residential

quarters and 119 non-residential units/buildings.

Financial Resources

- 74 -

In the initial years of its working, the State Government mainly provided funds in

the form of Share Capital. At present, State Government provides funds to the

Corporation for taking up various construction activities through budgetary

allocations - grants. Funds are also received for undertaking residential and non-

residential buildings of Police from the Central Government under the scheme of

"Modernization of Police Force". Similarly, funds are also provided by Central

Government for taking up such works for Jail Department. The budgetary

provisions take care of construction expenditure, administrative & other overheads

of the Corporation. These funds are released during the year by the State

Government depending upon progress of the projects and as per need.

Future Planning

At present the availability of residential quarters for the police personnel in

Gujarat is about 78%. Still there is mammoth work to be undertaken in this area to

achieve 100% satisfaction. In addition, out of available quarters, many quarters are

quite old and also having inadequate facilities. It is necessary to repair them as

well as provide adequate facilities in such quarters. The Corporation has

undertaken the works of repairs and maintenance all over the State and priority

has been accorded to essential works like water supply, drainage system,

electrification etc. This has raised the satisfaction level of the police personnel to a

substantial extent.

The Corporation is constantly studying and wherever possible, implements new

technology, new materials with rich specifications and long lasting durability. The

Corporation has already taken up a pilot project using Monolithic & Pre-cast

Structure Technology in order to achieve speedier execution. For achieving better

aesthetic, 2% of the project cost has been earmarked for landscaping and other

facilities in the project. Source – (21st Annual Report 2008-2009, Gujarat State Police Housing

Corporation Ltd Page no.2-3)

- 75 -

Designation wise area Table:-4

RESIDANTIAL CATEGORY

CATEGORY NOS OF

UNITS

PER

BLOCK

CARPET

AREA

/UNIT

(SQM.)

G.FL.

(SQM.)

F.FL.

(SQM.)

S.FL.

(SQM.)

STAIR

CABIN

(SQM.)

TOTAL

AREA

(SQM.)

FACILITY

PROVIDED

FOR WHOM

DESIGNATION

CAT:-A 12

UNITS

29.42 153.78 153.78 153.78 17.40 508.16 1 B.H.K. FOLLOWERS

CAT:-B 12

UNITS

41.85 236.32 236.32 236.32 17.85 726.81 1 B.H.K. CONSTEBLE

CAT:-C 12

UNITS

74.55 306.78 306.78 306.78 18.27 938.61 2 B.H.K. H.C/P.S.I

CAT:-D 6 UNITS 86.13 171.08 171.08 171.08 17.37 530.61 2 B.H.K. +

DIN.

P.I

CAT:-E 1 UNIT 87.34 120.18 - - - 120.18 3 B.H.K. +

DIN.

DY.S.P.

CAT:-E1 1 UNIT 234.87 139.50 118.90 - 17.78 276.18 4 B.H.K. +

DIN.

S.P & ABOVE

District wise Residential Quarters Taken-up Since Inception of GSPHCIn 1988

Table:-4.1

Sr. District Category Of Quarters Total Estimated

Project

Cost (Rs. In

lakhs)

A B C D E E1

1 Ahmedabad 0 1630 179 16 2 0 1827 7600.80

2 Amreli 0 500 20 7 3 0 530 2404.58

3 Anand 0 807 25 6 0 0 838 3260.33

4 Banaskantha 60 1742 108 20 10 2 1942 6251.74

5 Bharuch 0 678 19 8 2 0 707 2919.66

6 Bhavnagar 0 683 35 27 1 0 746 3244.75

7 Dahod 12 661 18 6 3 1 701 3712.73

8 Dang 0 224 12 1 1 1 239 772.39

9 Gandhinagar 48 424 100 16 5 3 596 2284.56

10 Jamnagar 12 536 59 27 1 1 636 2831.14

11 Junagadh 0 770 28 6 1 0 805 3801.57

12 Kachchh 26 1393 102 47 5 2 1575 5670.60

13 Kheda 84 887 61 19 1 0 1052 3971.14

14 Mehsana 0 906 44 11 1 0 962 3738.51

15 Narmada 0 427 16 3 3 1 450 2132.78

16 Navsari 0 345 28 7 1 2 383 1553.02

17 Panchmahal 0 640 48 14 5 2 709 2571.77

18 Patan 0 512 29 19 2 1 563 2410.44

19 Porbandar 0 308 25 4 2 0 339 1265.86

20 Rajkot 84 1975 226 35 6 1 2327 6313.59

21 Sabarkantha 0 650 45 14 2 0 711 2858.11

22 Surat 1 1258 183 11 6 10 1469 6869.48

23 Surendranagar 0 453 11 2 1 1 468 2024.31

24 Tapi 0 24 0 0 0 0 24 138.34

25 Vadodara 54 1794 81 93 1 3 2026 5826.23

26 Valsad 0 412 18 3 0 0 433 1422.13

Grand Total 381 20639 1520 422 65 31 23058 87850.56

- 76 -

Chat-4

Chart-5

Chart-6

- 77 -

The researcher has found that looking to a size of a constable‘s family and the

feedback from them the newly built residential quarters are quite good and well

planned. However, the maintenance of the quarters is not satisfactory and the

family members of the police personnel aired their grievance in this regard during

the researcher‘s visit to Navasari police line as part of the study. The charts and the

photographs provide a glimpse of overall scenario on housing facilities to the

police personnel in Gujarat. 86% of the respondents have availed the govt quarter

and 89 % of the respondents are married. 40% 0f the respondents have 2 to 4

members in their family, while 49% have 5 to 7 members in the family. The newly

built quarters are found to be reasonably good for a medium size family. Whereas

the old quarters are claustrophobic and unsuitable for even a small family. The

photos here provide a realistic scenario of housing facility for the Gujarat

constabulary.

A Comparison between old and newly built police quarters

Gondal police line – Old QuartersPhoto-10

Photo-11

- 78 -

Photo-12

Photo-13

Photo-14

- 79 -

Photo-15

Photo-16

Navasari Police Quarters Photo-17

- 80 -

Photo-18

P.C & Police Sabalpur ( Modasa ) Dist. sabarkantha Photo-19

Photo-20

- 81 -

Chapter II

Police welfare,

Health Problem and Health care

- 82 -

Welfare activities: - The researcher interviewed the joint commissioner of

police, Head quarter-Ahmedabad city police commissionerate and also interacted

with police inspector (welfare) and the concerned staff members to be conversant

with the welfare activities for the constabulary being undertaken by the

government.

A one day‘s salary from a constable‘s salary in April, every year is deducted

towards a welfare fund which is maintained for certain benefial activities for

constabulary. It is estimated that R.S. twenty five lakhs are deposited in welfare

fund every year and approximately, the surplus amount of R.S. sixty five lakhs is

invested in a fixed deposit out of the account of this fund in Ahmedabad city.

As part of welfare activities ―Balmandir‖-kinder gartens for the children of the

constables are run in the following six police lines (police residential areas) of

Ahmedabad city.

-Bombay Housing

-Head quarter police line

-Ranip police line

-Madhupura police line

-Amraivadi police line

-Ellis bridge police line

Floor mill is also run in five police line of the city so that wives of the constables

haven‘t to go far away in search of a floor mill for getting grains/cereals grinded.

―Nirmal jal vitran‖-installation of water purifier or R.O.plant at police lines of

head quarter and Madhupura police station has considerably eased the problem of

pure potable water for the families of the constables residing in these lines. A

parlour by Madhur dairy has been opened at Police head quarter in coordination

with the welfare branch. Similarly, cultural centres, library and sewing classes are

run at the head quarter of Ahmedabad city as part of welfare activities. There is a

- 83 -

provision for providing a loan of R.S. 2000, for purchase of a sewing machine

repayable by ten installments at nominal interest.

The other benefits out of the police welfare fund applicable in all the districts of

Gujarat are as follows.

Police Welfare

- Ex gratia payment of Rs.10,000/- from district unit welfare fund to the family of

a police constable who dies in harness for performing his funeral rites.

- Bandhutva Sahay Yojna :

Ex gratia payment of Rs. 10,0000/- (1 Lakh ) to the spouse or a legal heir in

case of demise of a police officer/employees; a members of Bandhutva Sahay

Yojna.

- A loan of Rs. 500 repayable in 10 installments at rate of 10% annual interest

for cataract operation and implantation of intra-ocular lens for a constable or

members of the family dependent on him.

- Mangal Sutra loan of Rs. 5000/- for marriage of a son and Rs. 10,000/- for

marriage of a daughter; repayable by 10 installments at rate of 10% interest

thereon.

- A loan up to Rs. 1500/- for one- time purchase of a hearing aid machine for

dependent children, parents and spouse; repayable in ten installments.

- One-time aid up to Rs. 1000/- from constable to P.S.I. level personnel for

denture.

- A loan of Rs. 2000/- for the purchase of a Sewing Machine for the police

constables serving in Ahmadabad City.

- An aid up to Rs. 250/- for purchase of unifocal spectacles and up to Rs.

350/- for purchase of bifocal spectacles.

- 84 -

- A loan for purchase of Computer at the rate of 8% interest.

- A loan for medical treatment to police officers and employees.

District Superintendent of Police, empowered to sanction a

Loan up to Rs. 3.00 Lakh.

- Police Officer from DIG to ADGP a loan from between Rs.3.00 Lakh and

5.00 Lakh

- D.G.P. above Rs. 5.00 Lakh.

Thus, various welfare measures are taken by the state governmement for financial

aid to the needy members of the constabulary.

Health: - It is observed during the study that the constables above 40 years of

age are susceptible to physical ailments like hypertension, diabetes, hyperacidity,

and anorexia etc. besides mental disorders like depression and short temperedness

which could be attributed to overburden and mental stress associated with nature

of their duty.

The traffic police constables have to inhale highly polluted air out of the

atmosphere filled with carbon emission from vehicles in big cities like

Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot etc.

The traffic police constables on various traffic points; wearing a handkerchief

covered into a mask; is a common scene in Ahmedabad where carbon dioxide

emanating from vehicles makes the environment polluted so much so that the

evenings of the winter season become smoky in the congested and populous areas

of the city.

The other constables also find it extremely difficult to maintain their physical

wellbeing which is attributable to over exertion, odd duty hours and mental stress.

It is also found during the research that a bad habit of tobacco chewing and

smoking among almost twenty percent of the constables and personnel of the

- 85 -

above ranks, has an adverse impact on their teeth, respiratory, cardic and

alimentary systems and that is why a sizeable number of constables above 40,

have to be under medical treatment for the diseases which are caused by the

addiction to cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing.

Primary health care facilities are available to the constables & officers of the arms

unit (S.R.P.groups).However, there is absence of health care Facility for the

constables serving in various districts of Gujarat. The researcher found during visit

to various district that most of the constables have to get medical treatment at

private clinics by paying exorbitant fees.

The police welfare hospital at Ahmedabad with a team of four medical officers

(sanctioned posts) and half a dozen doctors with fixed emoluments provides some

medical treatment to the ailing constables and their family members. There is a

facility for indoor treatment and dental care, but due to lack of important

medicines the cots in the hospital remain without patiets. The researcher during his

visit to the hospital as part of the present study found that the budgetary provisions

for the essential drugs are meager with the result that the medical officers have no

other option but to prescribe some medicine to the constables for purchasing from

medical stores.

Even though some pathological tests as shown in the chart below are conducted

here, a semi automatic analyzer (a machine for pathological tests) in the pathology

laboratory of the hospital is quite old and obsolete; this is what transpired during

interactions with the staff members this hospital.

The hospital‘s building is quite good and its façade is indeed attractive. However,

the facilities inside it are woefully inadequate and the constables and their family

members get nothing more than primary health care at this hospital. They have to

get treatment for major ailments from other Govt. hospitals or private hospital

Therefore; an urgent need is felt to upgrade this hospital suitably so that the very

object of establishment of this hospital does not get defeated.

- 86 -

Despite, limited facilities and paucity of essential drugs a sizeable number of

police personnel, civilian staff of the police force and their family members

The details on the number of indoor patients treated during the last financial year

as shown in the chart below prove that if the facilities and availability of drugs are

suitably enhanced; this hospital could be a boon to the police constables.

Police Welfare and Health care

Police Welfare Hospital Ahmedabad

A chart-category wise patient

April-2009 to March-2010 Table:- 5

Sr No

Name of Disease

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total

1 Physician 142 111 138 181 163 134 114 144 176 140 141 157 1741

2 Gynecology 158 96 97 130 92 92 67 134 128 101 103 106 1304

3 Pediatrics 118 139 187 218 161 141 127 166 159 148 152 155 1842

4 Dermatology 176 153 218 241 183 167 139 193 196 171 171 180 2188

5 ENT 16 43 60 83 71 62 57 70 97 64 65 69 757

6 Orthopedic 191 152 169 198 112 184 114 177 205 192 200 207 2101

7 Dental 186 114 618 293 158 198 198 178 172 289 216 596 3216

8 Ophthalmology 279 121 662 370 206 544 213 106 221 538 352 739 4351

9 General OPD 1624 1607 2015 2382 1594 1898 1195 1394 2172 2153 2014 1927 21975

10 Mobile Dispensary

155 148 105 89 155 0 0 0 92 0 0 0 744

11 Indoor Patient 5 3 24 25 27 22 10 21 31 31 11 12 222

Total Patients 3050 2687 4293 4181 2922 3442 2234 2583 3649 3827 3425 4148 40441

Gujarat State Police

Welfare Hospital

Pathology Laboratory Table:- 5.1 Examination – Facility available

Clinical PATHOLOGY

Urine

Stool

Semen

HAEMOTOLOGY

Hemoglobin

Total RBC

Total WBC

DC/PS/MP

ESR

Platelet Count

BT/CT

Blood Group

BIOCHEMISTRY

Blood Sugar

1 Sample

Random/Fasting/PPBS

2 Samples Fasting – PPBS

GTT 3 Samples

GTT 5 Samples

S. Protein

Bl Urea

S. Creatnine

S. Bilirubin

SGPT

SGOT

S. Cholesterol

S. Triglyceride

HDL Cholesterol

LDL Cholesterol

Lipid Profile

SEROLOGY

S. Widal

Hbs Ag

Preg. Test

R.A. Test

VDRL

MICRO-BIOLOGY

Mantoux Test

X-Ray

ECG

Sonography

- 87 -

Gujarat State Police Welfare Hospital, Ahmedabad

The Hospital Staff Photo-21

The empty indoor ward Photo-22

Photo-23

- 88 -

CHAPTER – III

EDUCATION

- 89 -

Education:-

The police constables are also part and parcel of the society, and naturally they

have a temporal right to cherish a dream of making their siblings doctors,

engineers, or government officials by getting them educated in reputed schools and

colleges.

However, exorbitant fees and other related expenses charged by private

educational institutes are not affordable to most of the constables and they are at

difficulties to provide higher education to their children in a school / college of

their own choice which sometimes compels them to take recourse to corruption

and bribery.

The researcher has found during the study that some constables leave no stone

unturned to get their children educated.

Their main object of providing education to the children is to ensure that their next

generation is wrangled out of a hard life of a constable family.

It is found during the present study that educational facilities are not provided to

children of the constables in any district of Gujarat, and that is one of the reasons

why a section of the constabulary makes attempts to get their college dropped out

sons / daughters selected in the police force at the time of recruitment of

constables.

The findings of the study suggest that there is a need for establishment of a good

educational institute (school) exclusively for children of the constables in very

districts of Gujarat.

The researcher was pleasantly surprised to come into contact with some highly

educated police sub inspectors and ―LokRakshaks‖ (appointed on a consolidated

monthly emolument of Rs.4500) holding post graduate degrees.

A PSI with a doctorate degree at Nadiad town police station under Ahmedabad

rural district working hard from dawn to dusk and sometimes late night without

losing his equanimity while dealing with the general public; convinced the

- 90 -

researcher that the Gujarat constabulary is not devoid of well educated persons

who maintain dignity and decorum of the force.

However, it is found during the study that more than 90% of the police constables

and the personnel holding higher ranks have indicated in their response in the

structured questionnaire and also during personal interview that they are unable to

pursue further study because of odd duty hours and also losing interest in

academics after getting employment in the police force.

In this context, a case study of a P.S.I. serving at one of police stations in the state

capital is really interesting and inspiring.

He joined the police force as an unarmed constable in Rajkot city in 1989 with a

paltry salary of R.S. 1100. Per month to fulfill his family encumbrances resulting

from his marriage at a comparatively young age. He had to drop out from the

college without completing his graduation in Arts-B.A. English for getting an

employment in the police force. He could not appear for the competitive

examination for the post of direct P.S.I in the year 1992.for want of the required

academic qualification i.e. minimum graduation in any discipline.

Despite all odds he completed his graduation in 1993 and appeared for the

examination for P.S.I., but the lady luck did not smile on him and he could not

clear the oral interview after getting through the written test.

However, without losing his heart he continued his efforts and succeeded in

clearing the exam for P.S.I. in the year 1999 and became a regular P.S.I.in

2001.In the meanwhile he obtained a post graduate degree in Arts and a degree in

Law also. Subsequent upon becoming PSI he got a post graduate degree in

journalism and mass communication (M.J.M.C.) His daughter is a graduate in

Electronic Engineering and the son is a student of a prestigious Engineering

college. It is a success story of a hard working person who not only pursued his

academic interests while performing arduous duty of a police man but also

nurtured his children properly and encouraged them to get higher education. He

was a constable in 1989 with monthly emoluments of R.S. 1100 as mentioned

- 91 -

above and today he’s “Thaana in charge” with a monthly salary of R.S. 25000

approximately. He lives in Ganghinagar with his small family.

Another case study of a young, unmarried P.S.I aged about 32 years of age is

quite interesting. At present he is serving as in charge of a police station under

Vadodara range and virtually remains busy for sixteen hours a day but he has

accepted this situation positively and philosophically. Having joined the Rajkot

city police a constable in 1997, while studying in the second year of commerce

faculty, he continued to pursue his academics and completed his graduation which

enabled him to appear for a competitive examination for PSI.He successfully

cleared it at a first attempt and became PSI in 2004. He never faced a serious

problem of undue pressure or interference from higher ups in the discharge of his

duty while serving at a police station in Border range. Some young P.S.I.s

possesses post graduate degrees and MPhil also.

A case study of a head constable belonging to a Scheduled Caste and serving in

the state capital is also interesting. He joined the constabulary in 1991 in

Gandhinagar soon after clearing a higher secondary examination for the sake of

getting employment. He pursued his academic interest and obtained a degree in

Arts (B.A-with English.) as an external student. His wife is also a graduate and his

two children studying in a reputed high school, are determined to pursue further

study to make a visible dent in the society.

Thus; there are exceptions in the constabulary whose most of the members lose

interest in academics after getting a job in the force either due to nature of duty or

having been satisfied with a job in the police force.

- 92 -

Chart-7

Chart-8

- 93 -

Lok Rakshak Holding graduate level degree Photo-24

An Under Graduate head Constable Photo-25

- 94 -

CHAPTER – IV

THE PROBLEMS OF THE WOMEN POLICE CONSTABLES

- 95 -

The researcher personally interacted with the women police constables serving at

the following mahila police stations:

Jamnagar city mahila police station

Junagadh city mahila police station

Ahmedabad city (Karanj) mahila police station

Nadiad town mahila police station

The women police constables posted at mahila police stations as mentioned above;

filled up a structured questionnaire willingly and enthusiastically. They also freely

frankly and fearlessly discussed their service related problems with the researcher.

It is found that unlike other general police stations; the crimes like murder,

decoity, burglary and theft etc. are not registered at mahila police stations where

the complaints under sections 498 A of IPC and prevention of dowry act only are

taken cognizance of here; with the result that the women police constables‘ role

becomes limited to lodging and investigating crimes against women.

There is acute staff crunch so much so that some male constables are also posted at

Jamnagar mahila police station.

During in depth interview with a senior female IPS officer the researcher found

that the mahila police stations are established as part of implementing the

government policy; but most of the mahila police stations are not fully fledged and

it becomes extremely difficult for women police constables to perform their duty

to the satisfaction of the aggrieved women in the absence of basic infrastructure.

The researcher himself noticed during his visit as part of the study that the

Jamnagar city mahila police station is established on the make shift structure made

out of asbestos sheet and there was only one woman head constable working there;

while the skeleton staff had been sent for bandobast at faraway place in connection

with a government organized public function. A visit to some police stations under

- 96 -

Ahmedabad range revealed some interesting facts on the problems of Women

police constables.

Six out of eight women police constables at Dakor police station in Kheda dist.

have to be posted at the famous Ranchchodrai temple daily as part of routine

bandobast.

A visit to Nadiad mahila police station headed by a woman Assistant sub

inspector holding additional charge of a PSI.enabled the researcher to understand

genuine problems faced by women police constables, since about ten constables

present on that day were quite forthcoming in sharing their difficulties with

researcher. The in charge woman PSI has to perform her duty without any official

vehicle which makes it extremely difficult to carry out investigation of cases

registered here. She has to attend courts and official meeting by hiring auto

rickshaw for which she can get any reimbursement. A woman constable at this

police station and hailing from Mehsana district narrated her anecdote of a

vehement protest she had to face from her in-laws for joining the police force soon

after her marriage at a young age of twenty. She got support from husband doing a

small business with the result that she successfully completed more than ten years

in the force despite all odds associated with the nature of her duty.

A Case study of a woman police sub inspector serving at a mahila police station

in Junagadh city conducted as part of the research is found to be very interesting

in the sense that the respondent suo moto approached the researcher during his

visit to the police station and started narrating her story of accidentally joining the

police force during a recruitment drive.

The respondent, as a child living with her mother who had fallen out with her

mother who had fallen out with her husband and lived separately to look after the

children; became a successful athlete during her high school study and was

persuaded by her friends to participate in the running round for recruitment police

constables at Rajkot and got through other tests to become a woman police

constable in 1997 in Rajkot rural district.

- 97 -

She cleared a departmental examination for the post of PSI in September, 2009

and after completion of mandatory training for three months; she joined Veraval

police station in Junagadh district in January, 2010 and subsequently; joined the

Junagadh city mahila police station from May 2010 onwards.

What is appealing in this particular case study is that the respondent’s one brother

is mentally challenged and the other is orthopedically handicapped. Her mother

nurtured the children including the respondent by doing masonry work as a casual

labour.

The respondent pursued her primary and high school level study with scholarship

she received from the government and obtained graduation in sociology.

She wants to pursue her study in law but is unable to do so because of nature of

her duty in the police force.

She expressed her personal opinion based on experienced at the mahila police

station that section 498 A of IPC is brazenly abused/misused by a section of

women and their relatives against the in-laws as part of reprisal over a petty

family quarrel.

She expressed her satisfaction over housing facility being provided to the police

personnel. However, she feels that the women police constables and the middle

rung women police officials have to face a lackadaisical attitude from their male

counter parts.

The other case study is that of a woman police constable belonging to a mahila

police station in Ahmedabad city.

The respondent, having been serving as a woman police constable for over a

decade; expressed her dissatisfaction over attitudinal problems of male police

constables.

She had to be a part of a “kaidi party” to accompany a Bangladeshi woman

deported on the ground of being an illegal migrant to her native country by train.

- 98 -

The respondent narrated her harrowing experience to the researcher during

personal discussion as part of the present study; how her male colleagues in the

“kaidi party” behaved indecently in a state of inebriation during the train journey.

In contrast, a case study of an unmarried woman police inspector is indeed

inspiring for all young girls aspiring to join the police. She claimed herself to be a

first tribal woman to become a direct recruit P.S.I. A daughter of a tribal farmer

from newly created Tapi district in south Gujarat cleared the examination for the

post of PSI at the first attempt soon after getting graduation in the year 2001 and

served at different police stations. She treated the difficulties associated with the

service in the police force positively and philosophically and is satisfied with her

job. Having been elevated to the post of P.I. in the year 2009, she has managed to

build her own house out of her legitimate income and some loan/advance from the

Government and looks after her old parents who live with her. She is a successful

in-charge of a mahila police station in Ahmedabad city. Hers is an example with

emulating by all young girls.

An Interaction with other women police constables has given the researcher an

impression that they have to adjust themselves with their male colleagues in the

force who are habituated to taking recourse to vituperation in their presence; not

only while dealing with petty criminals but also during routine talks.

It requires a great deal of courage, forbearance and tolerance for a woman police

constable to work with her male counterparts in the force.

Chart-9

- 99 -

Photo-26

Photo-27

A Woman Police Constable with her Child.

Danta P.S-S.K Photo-28

- 100 -

Woman Police Constables, Ahmedabad City. Photo-29

The Indian Express