Domestic violence victims need not visit police stations during lockdown: Odisha DGP
The police will reach the complainant upon receiving acall and also lodge an FIR, if necessary, DGP Abhaya said.
"On receipt of a telephone call, police will reach thespot/home and take necessary action. The victims can alsoapproach the police through Odisha Police Citizen Portal andSahayata Mobile App," he said.
The DGP issued the instruction to police officersafter the chief minister asked the police to give priority todomestic violence cases as such incidents may happen with allmembers of a family confined within four walls of a houseduring lockdown.
Though Odisha has so far not registered cases ofdomestic violence during the ongoing lockdown period, manystates have witnessed rise in such cases.
Mentioning that domestic violence cases are to begiven high priority, the DGP asked the police stations to bealert as such incidents may also happen in the state.
Helpline telephone numbers of police stations anddistrict control room (total 600 plus telephones) should begiven wide publicity again, so that victims of domesticviolence can use the same, the DGP told the superintendents ofpolice of the districts and DCPs of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
All cases of domestic violence during the lockdownperiod should be investigated by an officer not below the rankof a sub-inspector of police, and all such cases should besupervised by an officer of rank of DSP or above, he said.
The Investigation Unit for Crime against Women (IUCAW)of the district should remain extra alert and active duringthe lockdown period, he said. AAMMM MM