A police station is certainly not a place a child would like to walk in casually. There is an inherent fear in the minds of most children for the policeman. The gun-toting men in uniform instill a sense of fear in the young impressionable minds, and that is why a visit to the police station is not something they look forward to, if not dread.
To change this, police stations of Purnea in Bihar have adopted the new concept of ‘Bal Mitra Thanas’ (child-friendly police stations) for juvenile delinquents.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Superintendent of Police, Purnea, IPS officer Daya Shankar talked about the initiative and how it will prove to be helpful for children.
BAL MITRA THANAS
Modeled on playschools, the ‘Bal Mitra thanas’ will provide a congenial and homely environment to the destitute children or juveniles and prevent them from falling easy prey to professional criminals.
The walls of the police station have been painted with inspirational poems, messages, and slogans. Paintings of ‘Chhota Hanuman’ and ‘Bal Krishna’ have also been made on the walls providing a colorful and pleasant ambiance to the place.
“Playing kits, toffees, biscuits, and comic books have been provided to the police stations for the children. The Bal Mitra Thana will be manned by women police personnel, that too, in civil clothes, so that the children don’t get intimidated,” stated Mr. Daya Shankar.
CAREFREE ZONE FOR THE CHILDREN
The police stations welcome several kids in the stations every day. These are children who are lost, missing children, children who have committed minor crimes, and juvenile delinquents. They are often retained in the police station, at times, for a few hours.
“During that time, we want to give them a different environment from the general environment of the police station. Therefore, we have designed it in such a way – packed with toys, books, and colorful walls – that it has a soothing effect on children and helps them in calming their mind,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.
A SAFE SPACE
Child trafficking is a major evil in society. Most of the kids that are brought to the police station are or have been a victim of trafficking.
“When they see criminals being brought in constantly and police personnel in their uniform, it makes them uncomfortable and scared. Bal Mitra Thanas will help in eliminating that problem and provide a safe space for the kids, away from the general police station. This will make them feel comfortable and relaxed,” Mr. Daya Shankar said.
Two such police stations have already been opened in Purnea and Nalanda districts on an experimental basis by the Bihar police. Bal Mitra Thana in the Purnea district is currently operating from a room in the premises of the Sadar police station at the district headquarters.
