Protection of Women & Children Cell.

Introduction:

The protection of Women and Children Cell (POWC) previously named as Women Grievance Cell was first created by the Police Directorate Order Vide 568(17)/ORG/253/86 dated 23/06/94; IGP, South Bengal Office Memo No 1018(5) dated 14/07/94. Later W.G.Cell was renamed as POWC on Govt order vide GO No 1309/PL/PD/4B-61/92 dated 02/03/95.


Various Functions Performed by POWC:

The POWC looks into all crimes against women in addition to crime against children as prescribed under Juvenile Justice Act, 2000. It also implements the direction given earlier vide Police Order No 6/05 of PD, Govt of West Bengal.

The POWC acts as the Anti Trafficking Cell for the district. It keeps intelligence on the traffickers and coordinates raid and rescue operations with the help of local PS and authorized NGOs.

The POWC operates as a Nodal Agency for crime against women and children in the State and coordinates with WB Women Commission, WB Human Rights Commission and other agencies.

The POWC enforces the following acts:

The relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code regarding Homicide, Dowry Death, abetment of Sec 292, 294, 354 and 509 IPC, Kidnapping, Abduction and Rape, Misappropriation of Streedhan 406 IPC, domestic violence 498A IPC.

The Immoral Traffic (Prev) Act, 1956.

The preconception and Prenatal Diagonistic Technigues (Prohibition and Sex Selection) Act, 2000.

The child Marriage Registrant Act, 1929

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

The Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of lists of present to the bride and bridegroom) Rules, 1985.

The Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, 2000.

All Supreme Court and High Court orders and Judgements passed on the subject matter from time to time including sexual harassment of women at work place. And any other crimes related to trafficking of women and children including cross border trafficking and other similar type of cases.

The POWC also organises different awareness programmes regarding violence against women and children in the vulnerable areas in the districts with the help of local PS and NGOs.

It also organises various training programmes on gender sensitization.

The POWC also arranges for special drives against eve teasing, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation of women and children, rescue of trafficked victims from various places.

It also conducts special raids against obscene literature, posters, hoardings etc and also keep close watch on cyber café, cable TV network and other places where such type of obscene literature is sold or available.


Information Received by POWC:

People with grievance may directly come at POWC, CID, Bhabani Bhaban, 3rd Floor, Alipore, Kol-27 and ask for help. Otherwise they can send their petition through post and can also contact the cell over phone. Again the complainant of cases (already started in District) if not satisfied may directly contact the Cell, seeking help.

Means of contact with POWC:

One can contact POWC directly through telephone line, Telephone No 2450 6114, email id ahtu@cidwestbengal.gov.in