About 400 police constables and head constables were transferred to their home districts in recent months. Earlier, taking a serious note of the migration of the youths from the mountains to the plains in search of better livelihood opportunities, State police had taken a decision that the policemen of the rank of head constables and constables from civil police and fire service would be transferred to their home districts if they hail from the mountains.
Inspector General (personnel) GS Martolia said that in sync with the State Government’s emphasis on checking migration from the mountains to the plains, the State police have decided to keep some sections of the police personnel hailing from the mountainous districts posted in their home districts, though in Tehsils different from those they hail from. Applications were invited and large number of policemen submitted applications, seeking transfer to their home district. After reviewing their applications and department requirements at the police stations, police posts and police offices, about 400 constables and head constables were transferred to their home district. Priority was accorded to senior police personnel than the young ones during transfer of policemen. Applications were sought from civil police and fire service, he added.
Observers hail the decision, saying that it would go a long way in checking migration with the police personnel from the mountains being settled in their home districts with their families. “The alarming fact is that several posts at a number of police stations were vacant in five districts — Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag. This is because no one from the plains is ready to join these police stations,” says an observer. The practice continuing in the intelligence department of transferring policemen hailing from the mountains to their home districts has inspired the new initiative of the State police brass.
As the personnel from the mountains are ready to join posts in their home districts there is no vacancy in the intelligence department. The same practice being followed in the civil police would leave no post vacant in the coming days. “This augers well for the mountainous regions not just from the law and order point of view but also from the standpoint of migration. It would ensure a reverse migration as the families of such personnel would return to their home districts,” says a police officer.