CHANDIGARH/GURGAON: Haryana Police declared on Thursday all cases of sexual violence will from now be investigated by woman cops.

The decision, the police said, was taken on the basis of recommendations by the Centre for sensitive and effective policing after Nirbhaya's gang-rape in New Delhi.

Haryana reported 927 rape cases in 2013 while the numbers were 686 in 2012 and 733 in 2011.

Implementing this move is, however, likely to be difficult as women form a small percentage of the total strength of the police force in Haryana. In Gurgaon, for instance, where the ratio of women cops to men is almost 1:10, the order from DGP S N Vashisht led to a reshuffle across the ranks.

Police commissioner Alok Mittal said all women at the sub inspector (SI) and assistant SI levels were being moved out of traffic and other departments and being posted at police stations.

He admitted there weren't enough women in the ranks but said efforts were on to post at least one woman cop in each police station.

In case a woman police officer isn't available to handle a case at a particular police station, another from a nearby police station will be called out to investigate.

Haryana additional DGP K K Mishra said the decision was taken so that rape survivors did not have to recount their ordeal before male policemen.

"We have already put this system in place. The women officers will not only record the statements but also carry out the probe, including technical and medical aspects. If a particular police station does not have any woman investigating officer, an officer will be called from another station or the case would be investigated by the crime against women (CAW) cell,'' Mishra said.

National Commission for Women member Shamina Shafiq welcomed the move as did general secretary of the All India Democratic Women Association Jagmati Sangwan.

City police commisioner also asked the police to involve NGOs for women in probes into sexual violence.

