Chowkidars in Palamu have been spurred to be active and not to stand like ‘lamp posts’. This motivation was started keeping in view the coming Holi festival wherein village youths consume liquor and cause nuisance.
SP Palamu Ajay Linda told the Pioneer today, “I have given orders that chowkidars will make themselves present for a parade every Sunday in their respective police station.”
He added that the chowkidars are the first extended hands of police in the nook and corner of any village.
Linda said just a week ago, three chowkidars have been appointed on compassionate ground.
Chowkidars are appointed by DC and they get salary from the civil administration but they render their services to police.
On Sunday, SDPO Sadar Sandip Kumar Gupta had an inspection of chowkidar parade in the Chainpur police station where came more than two dozen chowkidars some in uniform and some in civil dress.
Gupta quizzed every chowkidar about criminals on bails in their villages, movement of any naxal, gambling den, locations of illicit liquor manufacturing and sale, poppy cultivation, locations from where sand is excavated and smuggled, running of stone crushing plant, location of brick kiln, vulnerability of rural roads/ state roads from the point of view of road hold up and lot etc. Gupta said, “Some chowkidars work smartly but some are lazy. We are to spur them into action.”
“Keep small diary in your pocket.” reminded Gupta saying, “those who will not have pocket diary with them will face music.”
The chowkidar parade which SDPO Gupta oversaw had by his side inspector of police Chainpur RR Shahi and officer in charge of this police station Sunit Kumar.
One Chando beat chowkidar stands suspended for over a year following the outbreak of the communal riot there in 2018 winter said Sunit Kumar. Sunit Kumar said this chowkidar had failed to inform police well in time about communal convulsion at Chando which led to his suspension.
Inspector Shahi had a word of praise for a couple of chowkidars who as he said work ‘too good.’
A chowkidar told in the parade that sand smugglers are so strong that they just do not bother if chowkidars ask them not to smuggle sand. Another chowkidar said illicit liquor manufacturers have a similar attitude towards police.
On hearing this, Gupta asked Sunit Kumar to ‘launch a massive raid on sand smuggling and illicit liquor manufacturing units located in villages.’
He said, “Police bust earthen hearths where mahua is fermented and liquor prepared but within hours illicit liquor traders build it easily. It is a never ending illegal trading and police too crack against them at regular intervals.”