Lucknow: While UP cops are known for encounters to tackle criminals, for the first time, an all-woman squad of state police carried out an encounter and arrested a cattle smuggler in Kushinagar district. The accused, Imam-ul alias Bihari, is a notorious smuggler wanted in 12 cases and carrying a reward of Rs 25,000.The encounter took place early Friday when the women police team intercepted Imam-ul. They asked him to surrender, but he opened fire. In the retaliatory firing, he sustained a bullet injury in the leg and was arrested.The operation was led by Barwa Patti station house officer (SHO) in Kushinagar, Suman Singh. Other cops in the team were sub-inspectors Princi Pandey and Chanda Yadav, and constables Sangeeta Yadav and Priyanka Singh. The team was on a routine patrol when they ran into the criminal.Hailing the team, Kushinagar SP Dhawal Jaiswal said: Under the state governments Mission Shakti, aimed at female empowerment, women police personnel, too, are being prepared to tackle any challenge.Inspector general, Gorakhpur range, Ravindra Goud, too, praised them and said their success indicated that women cops could handle any challenging situation.Suman Singh, 40, mother of a four-year-old boy, was promoted as inspector in 2022 and was given the charge of Barwa Patti PS two weeks ago on chief minister Yogi Adityanaths instruction. Since joining the force in 2013, I had always wanted to be a part of encounters. During training, we were taught about responding to all types of situations, but never got a chance to do it until I was made the SHO, said Suman.Suman added that no member of the patrol team thought twice before going ahead with the operation.Constable Priyanka Singh, 28, is from the 2018 batch and knows how to use various types of arms, including AK-47 and Insas rifle. I did not fear when a bullet was fired at us and gave a tough response by retaliating with equal force, she said.SI Chanda Yadav, 29, who is from Azamgarh, said she had never thought she would be a part of an encounter. I used to watch in films that cops chase criminals and nab them after encounters, she said.Constable Sangeeta Yadav, 30, said she was grateful to CM Yogi for making women officers head of police stations.We also published the following articles recentlyFirst encounter by UP Police all-woman squadAn all-woman squad of Uttar Pradesh police arrested a notorious cattle smuggler in Kushinagar district. The criminal, Imam-ul alias Bihari, was wanted in 12 cases and had a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head. The encounter took place when the women police team intercepted him and asked him to surrender, but he opened fire. In the retaliatory firing, he was injured and arrested. The successful operation highlights the capability of women police personnel to handle challenging situations.Chhattisgarh: Two Naxalites killed in encounter with police in Kanker districtTwo Naxalites were killed in a clash with security forces in Chhattisgarhs Kanker district. The encounter occurred during an anti-Naxal operation by the District Reserve Guard. The bodies of the deceased, along with weapons, were recovered from the scene. The identity of the Naxalites is still unknown, and a search operation is ongoing. Kanker district will have elections on November 7 as part of the two-phased elections in Chhattisgarh.Men barge into police station in Chennai, threaten woman constableThree men claiming allegiance to the DMK party threatened a woman police constable to withdraw her molestation complaint against two DMK workers. The accused, Praveen Kumar and Ekambaram, allegedly molested the constable during a public meeting. After initially withdrawing her complaint, the case was registered following intervention from political leaders and senior police officers. The accused were arrested and suspended from the party. On Friday, the men barged into the police station to pressure the constable to withdraw the case. Colleagues intervened, and a senior police officer confirmed the incident. The BJP President of Tamil Nadu criticized the involvement of a legislator in pressuring the constable.

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