The first all-woman police station in Bihar was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Nalanda district on Monday.

The police station, set up at the district headquarters here, will deal with complaints of atrocities on women, family disputes and related matters. The women police will also arrange for counselling for couples facing marital discords and costs incurred for it will be borne by the complainants, Kumar said.

The state government will set up 39 more all-women police stations across the state, he added. Sub-inspector Anju Kumari has been chosen as the station house officer.

All cases related to atrocities and other crimes concerning women lodged at various police stations in the district would be transferred to it for investigation, district superintendent of police Jitendra Rana said.

According to district officials, this police station will serve as a role model for other police departments in more states.

If such police stations come up across India, it would help women feel safer than ever before, said a senior police officer.

The officer said the force will try to improve services over a period of time. “We will need some time until we start seeing results,” he added.