To improve the response time of police forces of Ranchi and to extend their reach to every nook and cranny of the State capital, Jharkhand Police has decided to increase the number of Town Outposts (TOPs) in the city. A total of 32 new TOPs will come up in various sections of Ranchi based on their requirements, informed top police officials.
“There are provisions in Police Manual stipulating that a TOP can be established in a particular locality if there is a need for it on the basis of crime rates there. The jurisdictions of these TOPs have been decided upon after assessing the areas they will cover. The plans for establishing these new TOPs had been drafted in the recent district plan for Ranchi this year after they were sanctioned,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ranchi Division.
The list of sections of Ranchi earmarked for a TOP includes the busiest parts of town. Morhabadi, Upper Bazaar, lower Bazaar, Konka, Chutia, Harmu, Gudri, Khadgarha, Hindpiri, Hehal, Bariatu, Doranda, Hinoo, Risaldar Nagar, Bhusru and Kadru are some of the neighbourhoods where a total of 32 TOPs are to be brought up.
“The intention is that the new TOPs work to the best of their capabilities. They will conduct several rounds of patrolling and will constantly remain in touch with local residents. This continuous interaction between the police and the public will help a great deal in crime control,” said Dhan.
In times when the present strength of police forces is falling short on efficiently running the existing police stations and TOPs, these new ones will be manned by personnel from State Auxiliary Police (SAP), which will constitute of retired army personnel, along with regular policemen.
“The concept of appointing SAP personnel with usual police forces was applied in the new Bhusru TOP on suggestions from DGP DK Pandey. It will be extended to other TOPs along with new ones after appraising how effective it is,” Dhan said.
SAP personnel have been given a crash course to modify them for police work, he added. The ones with Bhusru TOP have been tutored in the geographical and demographical information of the area along with the bad elements which have been active there.
“For now, we are focussing on kick-starting TOPs in Morhabadi, Kadru and one near Kotwali police station. Delivering on quality is the priority instead of merely quantity,” said Ranchi SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi.