High alert having been issued across the country by the Centre in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations and possible threat from terrorist organisations, Uttarakhand State police have been caught unprepared while they were asked to demonstrate how ready they were to encounter emergencies. State Director General of Police BS Sidhu vented annoyance while on inspection with the squads being found wanting in terms of preparedness.
State DGP BS Sidhu reviewed Bomb Disposal Squad, Mounted Police Squad and Dog Squad at police line on Tuesday. He found shortcomings in terms of equipment and resources. He directed the police officers to upgrade things in three months in view of Ardha Kumbh Mela slated in January in 2016.
Accompanied by senior police officers, DGP Sidhu inspected the squads at police line and gave necessary instructions to improve things and to depute efficient cops. During the inspection, Sidhu asked the squad cops to demonstrate how they would act in case an emergency crops up. He found some equipment lying with the bomb disposal squad out- dated while few were dysfunctional.
There are five bomb disposal squads operating across the State. He directed IG vigilance GN Goswami to take necessary steps to upgrade equipment and fill up vacant posts of policemen in the squad in three months. Bomb disposal squads would be deployed in Haridwar during Ardha Kumba Mela, he said.
While reviewing Mounted Police Squad, the chief cop found that the squad has not the sanctioned number of horses. Besides, several posts were found lying vacant in the squad. He directed ADGP Ashok Kumar to take steps to purchase horses and fill up the vacant posts of policemen. DPG Sidhu reviewed dog squads and directed IG Deepam Seth to take necessary steps to plug the shortcomings in no time.