No FIRs filed at women’s police station in DK during lockdown

Mangaluru: The women’s police station located at Pandeshwar in the heart of the city wears a deserted look, thanks to lockdown. Otherwise, the station is visited by couples with marital discord, relationship issues and crimes against women.
Barring minor complaints, the station in Mangaluru City Commissionerate and Puttur limits (under Dakshina Kannada district police) has not registered any FIR till date ever since the enforcement of lockdown, according to SP B M Laxmi Prasad.
“The station used to register several complaints, ranging from fight between couples and those relating to dowry, sexual harassment, molestation, abduction, domestic violence, cheating on the pretext of marriage, rape and sexual assault. The Pandeshwar station registered about 13 FIRs from early this year till the lockdown was announced, but not a single case after that,” station head Shantaram Kunder said, adding that the station has been dealing with minor issues, which are resolved amicably through counselling.
Usually complaints, like those registered under Indian Penal Code 376 and atrocities against women registered in other stations across the commissionerate, are transferred to women’s station for further investigation.
SP Laxmi Prasad told TOI that police will reach out to women in distress at their doorstep as and when the cases are reported. “Due to lockdown, there is no proper transport for victims to reach the station. However, we will ensure that all crimes are reported, and police reach out to those in distress,” he said.
Sources from the women’s helpline in the district said that they have not received any complaints during the lockdown period.