In a bid to improve its response time during emergency and calamity hours in tough terrains, Uttarakhand Police has written to the State Government for extending its area of operations of policing in phases in regions where revenue police is in command. The police are now awaiting response of the Government.
Director General of Police (DGP) Satyavrata shot off a letter to the Government two days ago, laying emphasis on increasing the operational area of the police in tough terrains. Though the Government is yet to respond to the letter, the police headquarters has started preparing a proposal for it.
DGP observed that extension of operational area of the police would further improve its response time in case of any emergency. Referring to the recent calamity, the DGP said that it was the police that responded first to the stranded people and apprised the senior officials of the kind of havoc rains had wreaked in the valley. He suggested that the area could be extended in phases. In the first phase, an area of five km on either side of the road should be announced as operational area of police. There is immediate requirement of setting up police stations and police outposts at certain distance in the areas.
The DGP observes that presence of police in the areas where revenue police has control presently, would enhance the authority of the Government further. Also, the police would be able to respond more promptly in case of any urgent situation. “See, police are the first responders to any such incident. When police would have presence in tough terrains and its area of operation would increase, it response time would also improve in a tremendous way as it would have presence there,” the DGP said.
He further added that in case of any emergency, the villagers approach the police first. Nobody goes to Patwari during emergency hours. The people approach the police for help. They know that police have communication and equipment that may help them in urgent situation. He observed that extension in area of operation of the police would enhance effectiveness of the police further. The DGP, however, said the detailed project of extension of area of operations of the police would be extended only after thorough study.
Police were the first responders when the disaster struck the state. Even a sub-inspector Hemedra Singh Rawat posted at Gauri Kund police outpost saved lives of several people with the help of his colleagues. Police have been demanding to increase its area of the operations for the past few years.