Nagaland's IPS officer is a Dentist, Counsellor and a teacher. tirelessly working for the upliftment of society.

Why are we bringing this story about an IPS officer in Nagaland?  So, what's so special about her? Well, an IPS officer struggles for years to clear all the written and physical tests, to gain the pride of the cap and emblem. They are responsible for the maintenance of law and order in society. They must ensure that the citizens abide by the rules of law and maintain the peaceful functioning of the society. But this story of an IPS officer is unique as this amazing lady,  Pritpal Kaur, walked miles beyond her duty and is serving the public. 

One Cap That Donned Multiple Caps: 

The first woman Superintendent of Police of Noklak, Dr. Pritpal Kaur Batra is a dentist herself. She donned the powerful police cap and took charge of Noklak in Nagaland. Ever since then, her zeal to uplift the locals in order to increase their quality of living is impressing everyone and she is looked upon with huge reverence. Noklak is a new district that was separated from Tuensang district in January 2021 and this 12th district of the state remains with no basic amenities and the life there went on with absolutely no basic infrastructure. This is where Pritpal Kaur stepped in to give the district and its people, their deserved standards of living. Problems like unlimited alcohol and drug consumption, lack of education, and lack of basic amenities are the pressing problems that the district suffered from when Pritpal took over. This dynamic lady then resolved to check the alcohol consumption and drug abuse, monitor the law and order situation, and help students in attaining quality education.

A Dentist - For The Sake Of  People's Health: 

Superintendent of Police, Pritpal Kaur is actually Dr Pritpal Kaur. She is completely discouraging betel leaf and nuts consumption as it is the primary cause of oral cancer. She extensively conducts counselling sessions to spread awareness on the negative impacts betel and nuts cause to human health.

Expelling the Drug Culture: 

The first woman SP of the district, Kaur is also showing her fist to fight against drug peddling in Noklak which shares international borders making drug dealing feasible. Kaur has initiated an anti-drug squad involving locals, NGOs, and church leaders. She regularly visits schools to spread awareness among the students and youth about the harmful effects of drug consumption. Kaur has not only set to curb drug dealings but is also helping the drug addicts retain their normalcy. More than 100 drug addicts are undergoing treatment and Kaur is helping them live normal lives by creating livelihood for them.

Helping Students Reach Their Goals: 

Pritpal Kaur who had qualified for the civil services exam in the year 2016, very well knows the amount of sweat one needs to shed in order to clear the exam. She thus ventured on to help the aspirants. Using a social media platform, she has been conducting free classes along with the help of some police and civil administration members. Along with that, Kaur has also been helping the students by handing them reading material purchased out of her salary. She helps students with UPSC exams, SSC, CAPF, bank and state-level departmental exams. She has also turned the conference hall of the SP’s office into a classroom and is offering free coaching to close to 30 students. She says that the financial constraints shouldn't stop students from reaching their goals. "The students here are very talented but financial constraints and the lack of opportunities create hurdles on their path of success. So, we decided to provide equal opportunity to them so that they can excel in their lives and future. Empowered students make an empowered society," shared Kaur.

Lessons on sustainability

Along with all her activities, she has also been educating farmers on taking up sustainable agricultural practices. She visits villages in the district along with her team to enlighten the farmers and locals about the right farming practices and scientific farming. She and her team invited people from Krishi Vigyan Kendra and distributed seeds of six vegetables to the villagers. “I have sent 21 farmers to Dimapur (state's commercial hub) to learn food processing and they will become master trainers. They will teach every villager," says Kaur.

People Are Family: 

Pritpal says that she is available to the people of her district round the clock. 

"As their SP, whenever people knock at my door, I'll never say no.", she says. She further adds, "They'll always be welcome. We're family now. I'm 3000 km away from my family. So now, Noklak has become my family,”.