The forthcoming 2019 general elections will be one of the biggest challenges for the Odisha police. “We have already started preparations for it,” said DGP Dr RP Sharma inaugurating a three-day 61st Senior Police Officers’ Conference here on Thursday.
Sharma said that if the previous panchayat polls are any indicator, the atmosphere would be highly volatile and surcharged for the general elections. “But we should anticipate situations to avoid any law and order situations. Preventive measures like identifying and rounding up of antisocial and disruptive elements before the elections has begun,” he said.
The DGP urged the police officers to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. Training sessions on elections for field officers would be held in cooperation with Election Commission officials to prepare them to conduct smooth polls.
Mentioning about the Maoist problem, the DGP said police had 25 instances of faceoff with the ultras in 2018, in which 19 times they had achieved success. The Maoists suffered many casualties in these encounters. The intelligence network would be strengthened further in the extremist-infested regions to improve intelligence gathering.
He further said stress should be laid on the computerisation and digitisation process. Once the officers have sufficient data or information it would help the officers in solving crimes effectively.
In today’s dynamic and fast changing world, new forms of crime like cyber crime, cyber security have colme to centre-stage and police need to upgrade their skills in use of modern gadgets and technology.
The social media outreach of the police has improved significantly and e-system has been introduced in the State police headquarters.
The DGP urged the officers to be abreast with the development around them as technology is developing fast.
He said the previous year has been successful for the State police. The Crime branch solved many sensational cases like the Balangir gift explosion case. The Commissionerate police was highly praised for managing the Orissa Hockey World Cup in an efficient and professional manner.
The DGP urged the officers to be highly empathetic while dealing with women and children and also asked to expedite the setting up of women and child help desks in the districts where they are yet to be set up. Overall he asked the officers to ensure good governance and be people-friendly.
Sharma said the conference is a platform where the officers can exchange ideas and issue-based deliberations on cyber crime, Maoist problem, crime control, handling mass agitations, handling major events and other issues would be held.
The DGP on the occasion offered his condolences to the families of the police personnel, who have been martyred in the line of duty.