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| Nagaland deputy superintendent of police Thungrhoni Kikon receives an award from Meghalaya deputy chief minister Bindo M. Lanong at Umsaw Khwan on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos |
Umsaw Khwan, Dec. 14: Policing is no longer men’s forte.
Women are capable of outshining their male counterparts in more ways than one in a profession that has always been perceived as the privileged domain of males.
Two women officers — one a deputy superintendent of police from Nagaland and the other a sub-inspector from Manipur — were adjudged the best from among the deputy superintendents of police, sub-inspectors and assistant inspectors, who completed their 11-month basic course training today at the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA).
Umsaw Khwan spoke volumes on feminine power.
Thungrhoni Kikon, an electrical engineer, was bestowed with the Governor of Meghalaya “Sword of Honour” for being the all-round best deputy superintendent of police (probationer).
Kikon, who personified the saying “beauty with brains”, belong to the Nagaland Police Service.
She was also made the second-in-command at today’s passing-out parade of the 37th batch of basic course trainee officers.
Like Kikon, Th. Sarda Devi, a sub-inspector from strife-torn Manipur, was awarded with the same honour for being the all-round best cadet sub-inspector.
Even Meghalaya deputy chief minister Bindo M. Lanong, who reviewed the parade and commissioned the officers into active policing, cautioned the men.
“Men should be more serious. There is a lack of seriousness among men. I hope the next time we have a passing-out parade here, we would see men officers being rewarded,” Lanong said while speaking at the occasion.
He, however, did not fail to encourage the women folk.
“Beat the men again next time,” Lanong said.
So, what is the secret behind this success of women?
“It is only hard work and the blessings of God,” Kikon, who said she joined the police force, by default, told this correspondent.
However, the lady officer wants to go higher and her next target is to appear for the civil services examinations with the hope of getting into the Indian Police Service.
“I had earlier appeared twice for the examinations, but I will try again next year,” Kikon added.
Asked whether she was ready for the challenges that await her, she said, “With challenges, we are given the opportunity to grow and become progressive.”
Apart from the “Sword of Honour”, Kikon was also bestowed with four other awards during the ceremony.
Devi, who also received four other awards, said the intention of joining the police was to bring justice to those Manipuri women who were victims of violence.
“There has been immense violence against the women in Manipur and I want to give them justice,” Devi said.
She also said there were many misguided women in her state who have joined insurgent groups.
“Through this profession I want to try and spread awareness among women with the hope of weaning them away from militancy,” Devi added.
Devi is not alone, and there are 15 other women officers from her state in the rank of sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors who passed out along with her.
From Meghalaya, there were six deputy superintendents of police, of whom two are women.
Dalikynti Kharshiing was rewarded with the DGP Arunachal Pradesh Running Trophy and the NEPA medal for proficiency in weapon training.
Kharshiing and Baiantimon Blah will be joining as Meghalaya Police Service officers shortly. Apart from them, the other officers from the state include Rupam R. Marak, Raja Brahma, Lanalang Kio Diengdoh and Labiangbha Trevor Tariang.
Earlier, Lanong had also exhorted the young officers to carry out their duties according to the law without any prejudice.
“Remember that you hold a sword in your hand. Make good use of it, as the public does not have a shield. You have the authority, which should be exercised in accordance with the law and not your personal wishes,” the deputy chief minister said.
Lanong also said, “All of you should remember that you are peacemakers and that you should act as a friend, a guide and sometimes, as a philosopher of the people.”
Altogether, there were 96 police officers, of whom 32 were deputy superintendents of police, 56 sub-inspectors and 8 assistant sub-inspectors who passed out today.
They belong to the states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.
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