MUNNAR, IDUKKI: Munnar Police Station has entered a new chapter with 28-year-old Sub Inspector Krishnapriya Unni becoming the first woman to take charge as its Station House Officer (SHO). Her appointment marks a significant development in the history of policing in the internationally known hill station and brings a woman officer into a key law-and-order leadership position in Munnar.

Krishnapriya, a 2024-batch Sub Inspector from Nariyampara in Kattappana, assumed charge following the transfer of the station's Principal Sub Inspector. She had earlier served in Kannur after completing her police training and had also been working in Munnar on additional duty before taking over the station's full responsibilities.

Her appointment comes as Kerala Police has restructured the Station House Officer system, with Sub Inspectors being assigned SHO responsibilities at several police stations. In Idukki, women officers have taken charge of three important stations, with Krishnapriya heading Munnar Police Station.

A challenging responsibility in a major tourist destination

Munnar presents a distinctive policing environment because of its importance as a major tourism destination. The hill station receives large numbers of domestic and international visitors throughout the year, with tourist seasons bringing increased traffic, crowded roads and greater demand for public-safety services.

As SHO, Krishnapriya will be responsible for maintaining law and order, responding to criminal incidents, managing public-safety concerns and supporting the security of residents and visitors. Traffic management is also an important responsibility in a destination where vehicle movement can increase considerably during holidays and peak tourism periods.

Krishnapriya has acknowledged that heading the Munnar station will be a challenging responsibility. The station is considered one of the important and demanding police stations in Idukki, making her appointment an important professional milestone early in her career.

The appointment also reflects the increasing role of women officers in operational and field-level policing in Kerala. With women now leading key police stations in Idukki, the development represents a broader shift towards greater representation of women in police leadership.

For Munnar, Krishnapriya Unni's appointment comes at a time when maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for both local residents and visitors remains an important priority. Her tenure will therefore be watched with interest as she takes responsibility for policing one of Kerala's best-known tourist destinations