The death of three brave cops of Jharkhand Jaguar during anti-naxal operation in Langi forest area under Toklo police station of West Singhbhum police on Thursday morning is an indication that Jharkhand Police needs to plug loopholes in its drive against left wing extremism, said senior police officials.
At least Jharkhand Jaguar, the elite strike group of Jharkhand Police and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) need necessary revamp, they said.
The incident has come as a litmus test for senior IPS officer Niraj Sinha who took charge of Jharkhand DGP a fortnight back. A man of few words Sinha refused giving any tailor-made reaction over the incident and said that the action of Jharkhand Police will speak on his behalf.
Jharkhand Jaguar, the backbone of anti-naxal offensive is running without an IG and DIG after the then IG Saket Kumar Singh and the then DIG Kuldeep Dwivedi were sent to central deputation in CRPF and ITBP. However, DIG (Budget) Anoop Birtharay has been given additional charge as DIG of Jharkhand Jaguar.
“We are a specialized force and our single task is to eliminate left wing extremism. This requires multilayer proper planning and assault. The post of IG is vacant and DIG (budget) is holding additional charge,” one of the personnel serving in Jharkhand Jaguar said.
Sources in Jharkhand Police said that the new DGP is serious about the overall revamp of Jharkhand Police with special attention to Jharkhand Jaguar.
In the last couple of years lack of enthusiasm has been seen among cops to join Jharkhand Jaguar. When Jharkhand Jaguar was formed a special provision for additional pay and perks was made to encourage cops to join this strike group. But this additional pay and perks was withdrawn during the previous government. The joining of Sinha as DGP has raised hope among police personnel that the old pay and perks will be maintained. Jharkhand Police Men’s Association has submitted a memorandum to the DGP in this regard.
SIB was formed exclusively to gather intelligence inputs to support anti-naxal operation. But over the years SIB became operationally defunct.
“DGP is keen to handle the State police in a professional manner and in the coming months you will certainly see the changes. He believes in action rather than making statements,” a senior police official said.