In what is seen as a move to project the human face of UP Police, DGP Zaveed Ahmed asked his junior colleagues to bring smiles on the faces of orphans and senior citizens by celebrating Deepawali with them.
“Identify orphanages and old age homes in your jurisdiction and distribute safe crackers (sparkle etc) and sweets and celebrate the festival of light with them so that they too enjoy the occasion even in the absence of their family members,” said the DGP’s directive issued to all SSP/ SPs, Additional SPs, Circle Officers and Station House Officers on Wednesday.
Ahmed pointed out that such persons feel sad as they do nothave any one to could celebrate festivals and hence it was decided that cops should spare some time from their schedule, and bring smiles on their faces.
The DGP further said that this would also help the police personnel, who were away from their families in ensuring law and order during festivals, to enjoy the occasion.
Meanwhile to avert any mishap during Deepawali, like the Varanasi blast in illegl cracker unit late Tuesday night that left five dead and a dozen injured, Ahmed issued an 11-point guideline to all SSP /SPs, range DIGs and Zonal IGs.
Top cops were asked a list of legal crackers units be provided to respective police stations to esnure safefy measures. It was directed that legal proceedings be initiated against illegal cracker units so that no exigencies took place.
Officers of Deputy SP rank were asked to raid cracker manufacturing and storage units to verify whether safety measures and guidelines were being followed. Cops were asked to check whether safety measures were ensured in carting crackers from factory to wholesale and retail markets. The teams have been asked to take along an expert in disposal of unwanted or illegal explosives.
The DGP instructed that in case of a tragedy, the local police officials will be held accountable and hence immediate safety measures should be ensured by the police along with district administration officials to make Deepawali enjoyable.