Need staff urgently: SOS to govt from Kolkata CP

Kolkata: Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand has sent an SOS to the state home and hill affairs department, headed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, flagging serious security concerns and stating that the force is facing an acute shortage of 10,401 constables, 666 police drivers and 673 sub-inspectors.Nand has also requested that since filling up of these vacancies will be a time-consuming one, all those officers presently on deputation with Bengal Police in the rank of inspectors, sub-inspectors and ASIs be repatriated to the Kolkata Police at the earliest. So far, names of 22 such officers have been identified.The developments come barely hours after the Bengal govt has directed all administrative departments to submit detailed reports on vacant posts by June 3 as part of a fresh initiative to strengthen the administrative machinery and expedite recruitment across departments. In a communication issued by the finance (audit) department, the state govt said the exercise was aimed at ensuring "efficient service delivery" and addressing the large number of vacancies pending for a considerable period.Highlighting the acute shortage of manpower in the subordinate ranks, the KP top cop emphasised that the current deficit is severely crippling the day-to-day operations of the city police. According to data accurate as of May 1, the massive vacancy pool has made it increasingly difficult to adequately man vital units, including local police stations, specialised battalions, the detective department and the special branch.The letter has highlighted the administrative strain presently on the Kolkata Police, which they have argued was further compounded by the recent inclusion of the vast Bhangar Division under its jurisdictional fold.The expansion has stretched the existing, dwindling manpower to its absolute limits, claimed sources. Officials stated that maintaining effective results in crime prevention, detection and handling the city's complex law and order situations has become a monumental challenge.