State to modernise police force

MUMBAI: The state police fanning out the jungles of Naxal- dominated districts and investigators chasing criminals in the interiors will shortly have Kalashnikovs and search gadgets not to mention some 1,000-odd new patrol vehicles. The state government has chalked out an elaborate modernisation plan that gives the police force about 500 AK-47s and more than 1,500 self-loading rifles to fight violence and terrorism-related activities in the state.
The state government has already initiated a dialogue with the Centre for satellite surveillance of the Naxal areas.In the meantime, it has bought its officers and men bulletproof jackets and helmets, night vision binoculars and goggles, metal detectors and the like.
About Rs 1 crore will be spent in training the police rank and file in the usage of these weapons and equipments. The Rs 182-crore a year modernisation plan is spread over the next five years under which the Centre and the state government provide equal amount. The Centre sanctioned the plan last year and released Rs 92 crore as its contribution.
The state government moved quickly to meet the long-standing demand of outdated weapons and worn-out vehicles. Mumbai, of course, as a matter of priority, received its share much quicker in the form of Qualis jeeps to all its 78 police stations and assistant commissioners but the state police lagged behind in receiving its due.
A senior police official told TNN: "Everybody from district police chiefs to range inspector generals complained of age-old vehicles and weapons. In many places, only a few patrol vehicles have wireless sets which hampers communication and crisis-management in a riot- like situation. Now we can hope for better logistics support."
The vehicles are being distributed all over the state police stations but the weapons will be handed over to those patrolling the Naxal areas in Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia and Chandrapur, Nanded and Parbhani. The crime investigation department (CID) officers, the highway police and the coastal patrol will receive the machine guns, the official said. The modernisation plan includes computerisation of all police stations and connecting them to the state police control at Mumbai via V-sat. However, the three things which worry an average policeman still remain the same—housing, health and hours of duty.
Says a sub-inspector: "Police hospitals meant for everything from first aid to a life-threatening disease continue to be in a pathetic state and work for 12 hours a shift often stretches beyond."