To make Uttar Pradesh police more interactive in some of the most communally polarised areas of Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Shamli, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Saharanpur Range has introduced a WhatsApp service for a quick response to the complaints.
Ashok Raghav, DIG Saharanpur, told The Pioneer that after some major communal incidents, some stray incidents were also being labelled as communal. This led him to launch the WhatsApp number and publicise it on the regional media.
Since then, over a dozen complaints started reaching to DIG office daily. “After such a response, we developed a mechanism and set up an office. Also, sub-inspector SK Rai has been assigned to channelise the complaints,” said the DIG.
Initially, this system was introduced for better interaction between top police officials and the public after the area suffered some of the worst communal incidents, but the system became so popular that complaints started pouring in related to other departments like electricity, forestry, health and municipal issues.
“The people were so enthusiastic that they started sending images of traffic jam and tree cutting incidents, mining and matrimonial disputes,” added Raghav. After the system became popular, some citizens started approaching officers and on their initiative, the DIG organised over 24 interactive meetings in the police station to generate faith among the two communities.
“Till now, 900 complaints pertaining to image, 800 complaints to voice mail and about 700 complaints pertaining to missed calls have been redressed after the DIG office endorsed the complaint to the officer concerned,” said SK Rai, the in-charge of WhatsApp service.
DIG Raghav said that this kind of interaction facilitates transparency, and helps police in efficiently performing their duties. “I am sure that more and more people of the Saharanpur will take advantage of this app, and it would be one of the strongest mediums for police to connect with the public in times to come,” he said.
Interestingly, other Government officials are also planning to utilise the service for the official work.