Bhubaneswar, like any other metropolis, resembles a watermelon green outside but red hot inside. It calls for the services of tough cops to maintain the gargantuan task arising every now and then relating to law and order of the city. Possessed with suave and gentle manners, this top cop is also like a granite-heated red hot stuff and can effectively deal with the vagaries of violence and mayhem as and when the occasion demands. He is Dr Sudhansu Sarangi, an IPS officer of 1990 batch who took over as the Commissioner of Police of Twin City of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack in August 2019. As an IPS officer of Odisha cadre, he opened his innings as Superintendent of Police, Malkangiri and subsequently worked as SP of Sundergarh, Baleswar, Konjhar and Brahmapur. Climbing the hierarchical ladder, he then served as IG, Operations, CMD, Odisha Police Housing Corporation, and has currently reached the rank of Additional DGP. He has also added feathers onto his cap by lending his services in the Cabinet Secretariat on deputation to Government of India. A qualified paratrooper, a trained psychologist, a former British Chevening Scholar, he had his post-graduation and PhD in Psychology from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. As an advanced scholar in Psychology, he has five research publications in peer-reviewed national and internationals academic journals all to his credit. The repository wisdom that he has garnered has immensely contributed to his experience and expertise as a top cop which is no fluke. He has been decorated with awards and accolades like Governor’s Police Medal, Indian Police Medal and President’s Police Medal for his brilliant and meritorious services to the nation. In an interview to The Pioneer, this frontline Covid warrior Dr Sarangi offered his responses to Sugyan Choudhury on the crux of many problems arising out of the coronavirus pandemic scenario in the twin city.
The concept of “Aam Police” has gained ground both at the national and State levels. What are the genial gestures your department has adopted during the Covid-19 to sustain the same concept?
The lockdown naturally produced a lot of inconveniences to people in procuring groceries, vegetables, gas cylinders, medicines and other essentials. Since we were restricting movements, it became our responsibility to ensure that movement of emergency workers and essential supplies are made normal. We also maintained surveillance over pockets of hunger that can arise because of the pause on economic activities. If people struggle to get essential items and food, sporadic law and order problems would erupt.
It is apprehended that there may be a sudden spurt in burglary, snatching, violence and mayhem due to many people losing their jobs and many hit by the crises. What are the precautionary measures you are contemplating in these regards after the lifting of the lockdown?
Historically, natural calamities and other threats to human civilisation produce an altruistic response with people trying to be good to each other. As a student of psychology, I am not surprised by the decline in reporting of crimes around the world. There is an apprehension that economic distress and rising unemployment can in the long run lead to an increase in property crimes. But as of now, the situation is satisfactory.
Some of our people are having Nizamuddin links ad allegedly contributing to the anxiety and apprehension of society. Some of them are not voluntarily coming out to cooperate with the Government. Do you think that the situation is compelling towards a pandemic apartheid? What are the plans in your agenda to contain the same in case such a situation prevails?
The State Government gives highest priority to the maintenance of peace and communal harmony. The Chief Minister has asked us to show zero tolerance to any activity prejudicial to harmonious coexistence of people of different faiths.
The National Commission for Women in recent past expressed concern over increase of domestic violence during these crises. How are you contemplating to curb it with ease in case it occurs?
There has been a rise in domestic violence in the West. But they have a different family structure, much higher levels of divorce, children living with stepparents and broken families, etc. As a student of psychology, I see no such crimo-genic factor in India. In fact, my expectation is deepening of family bonds as a response to the pandemic. As of now, there is no discernible rise in domestic violence; rather there is a decline.
What are the plans on your agenda for a tangible effective surveillance in the twin city for maintaining piece and normalcy?
I believe maintenance of law and order requires willing cooperation and consent of people. The situation continues to be dynamic, complex and uncertain. We have to keep adjusting our strategy to the progress of the pandemic and keep our ear close to the ground.
What are the provisions for the police personnel in case unfortunely for those who meet their end on duty?
Police personnel are at risks as frontline workers. We are maintaining an aggressive surveillance to identify anyone developing symptoms. The Medical Officers of the four Police Hospitals are monitoring health conditions every day. Persons with co-morbid conditions have been taken off active duty to minimise their exposure to the virus. We are carrying out testing continuously. Hope we can maintain the situation like this and let us not discuss anything beyond this at this stage though we have contingency arrangements in place.
Odisha has earned international acclaim for handling crises like the Super Cyclone (1999) and Fani in May 2019. Till now, the administration has handled the situations admirably. How do you think that the administration will live up to its reputation after a huge exodus of people from West Bengal, Mumbai and Surat even to the twin city?
The State Government has been very responsive and has left no stone unturned to protect our people. So, I am very optimistic that despite the limitations of science and data, Odisha will once again come out as winner, fingers crossed.