For the first time ever, the annual conference of the country’s top police brass began on Wednesday virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the DGPs and senior police officers across the country from the Intelligence Bureau Headquarters virtually in the presence of heads of paramilitary organisations.
About 250 officers in the rank of DGP and IGP from all states, union territories and central government are taking part in the four-day virtual meet, organised by the Intelligence Bureau and being attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSA Ajit Doval among others.
The key role played by police during disaster and pandemic, new-age crimes like cyber terrorism, radicalisation of youth and Pakistan-sponsored militants in Jammu and Kashmir will be discussed during the deliberations, to be held in multiple sessions, a Home Ministry official said. As the role of police during the ongoing pandemic has come under wholesome praise from all quarters, the meeting is expected to discuss how to enhance their knowledge and capabilities to handle natural disasters and such health crisis and even help in mass vaccination drive.
The state police chiefs will share their experiences in handling the pandemic and how the police have helped distressed people and migrant workers during the nationwide lockdown. The Prime Minister is likely to make special mention about the exemplary work police personnel have done while fighting the coronavirus, the official said.
According to an estimate, nearly 80,000 police and paramilitary personnel were infected by COVID-19 in the country and about 650 of them succumbed to the virus. Among the infected include about 35,000 paramilitary personnel and 25,000 policemen in Maharashtra, the worst hit state in India. Among the deaths include 100 paramilitary personnel and about 250 in Maharashtra Police, almost all of them while playing different roles during the pandemic.
The Modi Government has been organising it outside the national Capital since it came to power in 2014.The previous conferences were held in Guwahati, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh, Kevadia in Gujarat and Pune.