BS Sidhu who completed two years as the State’s Director General of Police (DGP) on Wednesday averred that he had taken several measures to put a check on crimes and restore sense of security among the people but added that there are various challenges ahead which need to be faced effectively.
Interacting with media persons on Wednesday Sidhu said that he had introduced a concept of professional policing wherein City Patrol Unit (CPU) was set up in Haridwar, Dehradun and Nainital in April 2014 to enforce traffic regulations and act as swift response team to crack down on crimes like chain- snatching, eve- teasing and other offences in the city. CPU personnel selected based on their physical test and interview also underwent training in policing and traffic rules. Sidhu said that CPU personnel are executing their work effectively which had resulted in more than 90 per cent two-wheeler users now wearing helmet.
However, local public representatives and young supporters of both Congress and BJP had earlier met senior police officers and alleged that CPU had become a money spinning machine for the police department while harassing vehicle users and imposing penalties on them for traffic violations. The Rajpur Road MlA Rajkumar led a delegation that met the DGP and demanded the unit be retrained and problematic areas be rectified immediately.
Though the DGP may seek credit for CPU, the involvement of three CPU personnel in looting a businessman has left the department red faced. It will be recalled that three CPU men in Nainital district were arrested in Kathgodam for their alleged involvement in looting businessman Anup Aggarwal, native of Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) of `7.94 lakh on September 19.
During Sidhu’s tenure the administration of jails was handed over to an IPS officer, breaking the practice of having an IAS officer on this post. However, the situation is at standstill with the State administration not providing the jail administration with adequate officers and infrastructure.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was formed in October 2013 to conduct rescue and relief operations in the disaster-affected areas. Since its inception, its personnel have successfully helped pilgrims complete the Nanda Devi Raj Jat, Char Dham Yatra and other pilgrimages. Two companies of its unit formed in the SDRF battalion are monitored from the Police Headquaters. One more battalion will be formed in the Kumaon region.
The State police had successfully conducted recruitment to about 1001 posts of constables of the Civil Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and firemen who are being trained in western Uttar Pradesh. The recruitment to 364 posts of sub-inspectors and the rankers’ examination for the promotion of constables and head constables to 304 posts of sub-inspector were also held.
However, DGP Sidhu expressed shock and worry over an incident wherein hundreds of serving policemen could not pass a basic physical test. Concerned about the poor fitness level of the policemen, the DGP said that a month long physical training will be held at police line for policemen deputed in various wings of the department.
Under Nai Zindigi campaign, around 200 drug peddlers were arrested by the police for selling narcotics in Dehradun. However, observers opine that instead of targeting the smugglers of hard drugs like smack and pharmaceutical drugs, the police are focusing on small time cannabis suppliers.
Sidhu said that as the Vidhan Sabha election 2017 is approaching near the threat of communal tension in mixed population areas is a matter of concern and police would deal with this issue strictly. He said that thorough investigation would be conducted in to how a minor dispute escalated into a clash between two communities on Monday night in Kotdwar.