Woman cop gets emotional send-off

Hyderabad: At a time when a cop rarely gets any appreciation, the transfer of Moinabad police station inspector S. Sunitha to the Cyberabad commissioner’s office was met with tears and requests to the government to retain her at her current posting.

Women folk broke down on coming to know about her transfer. A video clip of a woman holding her hand and weeping has gone viral on social media.

Ms Noor Jahan Begum, who was seen crying in the video, said Ms Sunitha was “a just officer and an exemplary figure.” 

She said the inspector treated everyone equally, irrespective of their class or political affiliations.

“She addressed every problem with sensitivity. That is why people were so happy under the care of madam,” she said and requested Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to revoke the transfer.

Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Sunitha said, “When I was made the state’s first woman law and order inspector of a police station by then commissioner Sandeep Shandilya, many questioned his action. 

There were questions about how a woman could be given the responsibility but I just continued to do my duty every day. I hope to do well in whatever capacity I work in.”

Asked about people demanding that she stay on, Ms Sunitha said she was touched by the affected but has “requested them not do any dharna.” 

Recalling an instance of why Ms Sunitha is held in high regard, Chakanguda sarpanch Ramesh said, “Madam paid from her own salary to get welding work done in 10 villages so that there is no no electricity theft.”

He said Ms Sunitha had never interfered in civil matters.

Tolkatta sarpanch B. Satyanarayana said Ms Sunitha was about to start a training camp for unemployed graduates. 

 There was a sense of safety among the people and this is because she is always interacting with officials at every level,” he said and added that he suspected political influence behind the transfer.