DW BUREAU / shimla While presiding over the concluding ceremony of the two-day 10th National Conference of Women in Police, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stressed the need to further increase the participation of women in the police force by providing them equal opportunities. He appreciated the efforts of Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) and Himachal Pradesh Police for organizing this National conference. He hoped that during this two-day conference, there would have been fruitful discussions on various subjects related to the women and added that important issues related should be brought to the fore. The Governor said that gender discrimination was only a natural subject but there should be equality of opportunity and thinking. He said that in Himachal Pradesh, a provision of 25 per cent has been made for women in the police force whereas at present only 14 per cent women were included. This was not because of gender discrimination but as of lack of opportunity. He said that the subject should be discussed in the men's section. He stressed on making the male force aware about this from the BPRD. He said that by changing their thinking, challenges and problems are automatically solved. Director General, BPRD Balaji Srivastava, welcomed the Governor and said that about 220 women police officers and personnel of various ranks representing the police forces have participated in the conference. He said that the National Conference of Women in Police was started in the year 2002. After that this conference was being organized every two years. The issues related to women were discussed in depth in the conference, he added and said that such conferences have also seen a massive change in the women police. Earlier, DGP Sanjay Kundu felicitated the Governor. Director, BPRD Tejinder Singh Luthra, gave detailed information about the various sessions organized in the 10th National Conference.Additional Director General, BPRD Neeraj Sinha, presented a vote of thanks. Principal Secretary, A.R. Anuradha, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Secretary to the Governor Rajesh Sharma, officers of BPRD and senior police officers from different states of the country and other prominent people were also present on the occasion. Women in police can play a vital role : CM shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that women empowerment was essential for bringing in change in the society and women in police could prove catalyst in this direction. He was addressing the women police officers who are in the state capital to attend the two days 10th National Conference of Women in Police while hosting dinner for them Sunday evening. Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was known as 'Devbhoomi' and has a very low crime rate. He said that still the police force in the State was always on the move not only to maintain law and order in the State but also check the menace of drug peddling. He said that it was indeed a matter of pride that the percentage of women in police and other armed forces has increased by 2-3 percent during the last eight years Jai Ram Thakur said, the Himachal Pradesh Police has not only ensured effective law and order in the State but it is also one of the most disciplined forces in the country. (editor@dailyworld.in)