While inaugurating the 6th Raising Day celebrations of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police here on Tuesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik underlined the importance of safety of women and weaker sections and asked the police to treat it in priority.
Patnaik advised the police to be careful about the protection of the rights of common citizens and emphasised on public-friendly policing to endear with the common people. He also called upon the police to take firm actions against anti-socials and criminal elements to make the twin city peaceful.
Earlier, the Chief Minister took guard of honour in a colourful parade conducted at the 7th OSAP Battalion.
Gracing the occasion, Director General of Police Prakash Mishra said the new initiatives of the Commissionerate Police to streamline patrolling, traffic, and basic policing in the twin city are admirable. He also disclosed about the use of CCTV cameras at sensitive places to keep an eye on the activities of the anti-socials in the crowded places of the city and community policing to help people, especially women.
On staff-shortage, Mishra said, “We have presented our view before the State Government about the shortage of manpower and we hope to get some staff phase wise to continue our duty effectively.” He informed that fresh recruitment would be made in the vacant Sub-Inspector level posts first.
Police Commissioner Dr RP Sharma also raised staff crunch problem. “Compared to the other mega cities, staff shortage is very high at the constable and SI level in the Commissionerate Police (Cuttack-Bhubaneswar),” said Sharma. He asserted that soon a proposal would be submitted before the Government to look into the matter.
Sharma talked about an action plan which has been chalked out for 2014 to provide better policing and crime control in the cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
On the occasion, Chief Minister formally linked a website of the Commissionerate Police with social networking websites Facebook and Twitter. Six documentary films on dowry torture, sexual harassment, eve teasing, Dial-100 and chain snatching were released by the Chief Minister. Hoardings, newsletter and telephone directory were released for outdoor publicity of the police programme.
A few police officials were awarded for their excellent services last year. Traffic ACP Binod Das and Jatni IIC Sarat Kumar Sahu were awarded as the Best ACP and the Best Inspector of the year, while Banita Maharana of Saheed Nagar police station was chosen as the Best S-I of the year.