He was the only Station House Officer (SHO) — thaanedar — who could muster the courage to raise his hands when Anand Shankar, Advisor to the Governor on Saturday in a meeting with police officers from across State (except Santhal Pargana) asked, “Who among you has been honest in your conduct in officeIJ”
Jay Govind Nath Munda, SHO at Pandu Police Station in Palamu District was the only policeman among more than 250 SHOs, 50 DSPs and 150 SPs to assert he had been honest to his duties in and outside the office since he had been inducted in police in 1994. Rest others didn’t raise their hands, their silence cleared spoke lauder than anything. A day after this assertion of honesty the SHO says, “45- 46 thousand money is very good amount to look after my family. I am satisfied with what I get.”
His self claimed honesty was not only seconded by his superior in police department in Palamu district but also his former colleagues. Even bureaucrats in Palamau stamp his honesty. Deputy Development Commissioner of Palamau said that Munda had always been seen as “dutiful” and honest policeman.
“I had not worked with him much closely but whenever I happened to come across him he always appeared to be honest policeman. He might be working in hostile societal setting under Pandu police station but he had always conducted himself with honesty,” the DDC said.
In erstwhile Bihar the SHO has worked at different police stations in Gopalganj, Chapara and Sitamarhi districts. In Jharkhand also he has worked in Jamshedpur district prior to being posted in Palamau.
But he said that he had never been transferred to any location because of his honest conducts in office. He however claims that he had been offered very lucrative amounts at several occasions earlier for compromising with his duties and integrity. But when asked about the details of “lucrative offers” he refused to divulge.
“Chhoriye details kya batana hai. Bahut sara baat daba hua hai. (leave it. It’s no use divulging deep into the details. There are many facts under cover,” is all he says. But he quickly adds, “I have never given upto any kind of offers and pressures. And once I decline to yield nobody has dared to re-influence me. Being in police I have to face many offers – small and big,” he said.
For his honest conduct he had been awarded the letter of appreciation by DIG two months back. On Saturday also, impressed by his assertion of honesty the Advisor said, “He deserves a salute. He is an example to be followed.” The Governor had also directed the DGP of State to felicitate him for his honesty.