Minister Louise launches childcare centre 

Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) women constables who have children have a reason to rejoice.

For, a childcare centre was inaugurated on the premises of JAP-10 near mega sports complex in Hotwar, 7km from capital Ranchi, on Thursday.

Inaugurated by social welfare, women and child development minister Louise Marandi, the childcare centre - Kilkari - will take care of children from infancy to six years of age.

Sponsored by the IPS Officers' Wives Association (IPSOWA), the centre will accommodate around 25 children who will be provided with toys and mats to sleep, besides other facilities. It will be under CCTV camera vigil and run from 6am to 6pm. The centre will later operate round-the-clock.

"Women constables carry out double responsibilities of managing their households and fulfilling their job commitments. The childcare centre will ensure that women constables go to the field without unnecessary worries," said Marandi.

The centre will be looked after by a six-member panel comprising a commandant, a DSP, an inspector, a male constable and two lady constables of JAP-10. DSP, JAP-10, Shradha Kerketta has been made the in-charge of the centre.

Women constables displayed their martial art skills on the occasion and also gave live demonstrations of the duties they perform during anti-Naxal operations.

Among those present included IPSOWA president Poonam Pandey, who is also the wife of DGP D.K. Pandey, IPSOWA secretary Vartika Dwivedi and JAP additional director general Rezi Dungdung.

Earlier, there were around 20 children of women constables who were taken care of by maids appointed by their mothers on the JAP-10 premises.