Mahila Thana, inaugurated beside Kotwali police station in 2008 to offer a sense of security to women, is anything but safe these days.

The five-feet high boundary wall of the police station, which had been in a dilapidated state for more than two years, collapsed two days ago, leaving the premises where women are kept for counselling, security and other purposes unprotected.

"Privacy is most important for any woman police station, where females often come with complaints of domestic violence that are settled quietly. But the same is missing at Mahila Thana near Shaheed Chowk on Ranchi's Main Road ever since its wall caved in two days ago. Anyone can enter the restricted area. Women constables deputed there have to be extra vigilant round the clock," a police source told The Telegraph.

A visit to the police station on Tuesday morning revealed that the personnel were indeed hard-pressed to guard the thana, where a woman was lodged along with her barely-a-year-old son and two grown-up daughters. Two lady constables had been deputed for their security.

"This woman was handed over to us by Lower Bazar police. She allegedly attempted a theft at a house in Lower Bazar police station area in the morning, but primary investigations suggested that she had gone to beg for food for her children. The house owner mistook her to be a thief and called police. It is our duty to keep her in safe custody till the investigation gets completed," one of the constables said.

Jharkhand State Commission for Women's chairperson Mahua Maji also expressed concern. "A proper boundary wall at Mahila Thana is a must. I will look into the matter," she said.

Officer-in-charge B. Prasad said that steps had been initiated to find out a solution. "I have already written to my seniors and sergeant major. I hope the boundary wall will be constructed soon," she said.

SP (city) Jaya Roy gave the same assurance. "The matter is in my knowledge. Steps have been taken for construction of the wall," Roy said, but could not give any deadline.

An officer posted at the SSP's office, however, pointed out that it would take not less than 15 days to get the work done.

Earlier in June 2013, a portion of Mahila Thana's wall had damaged after an army vehicle rammed into it.