Director General of Tripura Police C. Balasubramanian is a native of Sholavandan, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. After completion of his school education at his native place and college education ( M.sc Chemistry) at Madurai he worked as a faculty of chemistry department, Aditnagar College of Arts & Science, Tiruchendur, Tamil nadu for about 5 years ( 1976 -81). He joined in Indian Police Service on December, 1981 and allotted to Tripura part Manipur – Tripura cadre. On completion of the basic training at SVP National Police Academy, Hyderabad, he reported to Tripura in 1983. Initially he worked as SDPO Belonia, South Tripura, subsequently he held various posts in Tripura – addl. SP South District, SP South District, SP (SB) with additional charge of SP (CID), AIG and SP North District. During his second tenure in Tripura ( 1998 -2001) he worked as DIG (HQ), DIG ( Southern Range) with additional charge of DIG (AP) and IGP(Admn & Training). During his 3rd tenure (2006 -2009) he served as IGP ( Law & Order) with additional charge of IGP (AP &Ops) and addl.DG (Law & Order, AP andOps)

     Mr. Balasubramanian served in various central police organizations under Govt. of India. He worked in CBI as SP for about 7 years during which he supervised various important and sensitive cases including Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, being member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) CBI. While working in CRPF on deputation as DIG and IG he worked at Chennai, Jammu and Hyderabad and supervised antiterrorist operation and anti – naxalite operations carried out by CRPF in J & K and Andhra Pradesh respectively. He also served as SVP National Police Academy as Joint Director. On Promotion  as Addl. DG, CRPF North – East zone with additional charge of Additional DG, central zone. 

    On repatriation from CRPF, Mr. Balasubramanian joined in Tripura police as of 28 June, 2013 and has been functioning as DGP Tripura from 1^st July,2013. He has been decorated with police medal for meritorious service in 1998, President’s Police Medal for Distinguishing Service in 2006, Police Duty medals for having in service in Tripura and J& K and Internal Security Medal.  

Exclusive interview with Director General of Police (DGP) of Tripura, C. Balasubramanian spoke on crime against women, Role of Society, Law Enforcement &  Media 

TIWN(TripuraInfoWay News): Do you think the origins of male violence against women are biological?

DGP: The origins of violence against women by men are not biological. If that were the case, it would exist in every culture. And it doesn't exist in every culture. There are tribal and less patriarchal cultures in which there is very little violence, or in which the violence is almost equal, you know, especially among boys and girls. But in any case, there is no organized violence. There is no frequency of rape and so on. So it can't be biological.

TIWN:  Some say society is structured to allow men to be violent? Do we not only allow but encourage men to be violent?

DGP:  Society from ancient times definitely encourages and condones men's violence toward women. Not as much as it used to be in earlier times when it was less visible, and there were still laws on the books that made it alright for men to beat their wives, as long as it was within certain limits, and women were chattel. During the first suffragist wave in this nation, women were possessions, like a table or a chair. So violence toward them was quite condoned. The attitude has diminished to great extent, but it's still there.

TIWN: Can police prevent crimes against women?

DGP: Only police cannot totally prevent crimes against women and the society as a whole will have to play a major role in this regard. The issue of crimes against women should be looked into beyond mere statistics as in some States, like Tripura and Kerala, the victims come forward to lodge complaints with the police, which is in a way, a positive development. But in some States of the country, particularly in North India, women rarely come forward to register cases and that is why the number of cases registered in such States is much lower. Making matters worse, a large number of “elopement cases” clogs the criminal justice system: cases where a young girl and boy fall in love and run away together. The girl’s unhappy parents file kidnapping charges, police track down the wayward couple, and the parents compel their daughter to claim she was raped. Generally speaking, elopement cases become apparent soon after they are reported to police.

TIWN: What steps taken to prevent sudden rise of crime against women in the State?

DGP: I have issued stern directives to the police officials to act firmly and promptly in cases of crimes against women. The police should take steps to protect respect and honour of woman and save them from the atrocities and humiliation. While handling the case police should be more sensitive. After registering the FIR with immediate effect, initial investigation should be started if a case of crime against women is reported. Along with the recording of statements further investigation should be handled by woman police office. Prompt investigation and trial of the cases of crimes against women would also act as deterrent and there is a need for synergy between the investigation and prosecution wings to ensure speedy trial. The monitoring of the process of investigation of such cases also needs improvement.

TIWN: In case of sexual harassment of against women at work place?

DGP: If any case of sexual harassment against women at work place is reported, action under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 should be initiated. In cases of sexual assault statements should be recorded immediately and challan should be presented within 15 days of the collection of physical and chemical evidences.

TIWN:  What if accused granted bail?                                   

DGP: Objection against granting of bail to the criminals involved in crimes against women should be raised and protection of witnesses and victim should be ensured. If in any case the culprit is exonerated appeal within stipulated time should be filed.

TIWN: Lastly, what is the role media against crime against women?

DGP: The media plays a powerful role in changing this culture of silence towards sexual abuse. For example, the media’s focused coverage on the rape and eventual murder of the 23 year-old physiotherapy student on December 16, 2012 keyed massive public outcries, which pressured the government to strengthen sexual assault laws. As a result, the government enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, which broadens the definition of rape, increases protection for rape victims and makes punishments harsher. In the same way, if the media responsibly highlights the wrongs of sexual assault and the importance of acknowledging that it occurred, more victims will be encouraged to demand justice. But this leads to another problem.Ultimately, extensive media coverage and strong laws do not mean much if victims who report sexual assault have no faith in the system that delivers justice. The media should look more deeply into the NCRB statistics and report on stories that prevent justice; the stories to which the statistics point. That way, the media can pressure the government to ensure that the criminal justice system works for victims who have the courage to report sexual assault crimes. They can play an invaluable role in breaking down the culture of silence that shrouds sexual abuse.