Bureau Report
Port Blair, May 17: Cops in Andaman, who are dealing with crime and criminals directly, are now living under constant threat of attack. From last few days Police officers can be seen performing their duties without their service revolvers.
When questioned, one senior police officer, who doesn’t want his name to be quoted, told Andaman Sheekha that the service revolvers have been withdrawn by Police department after the incident of 23/03/13 where son of an Assistant SI had a suicidal shot using his father’s service revolver.
It had been learnt that there is a wide remorse within the Upper Subordinate and Lower Subordinate officers of A & N Police regarding the withdrawal of service revolvers.
In Delhi and other states one can see all ranks of Police officers carry service revolvers round that clock for their personal safety and protection of general public.
During the year 2007 to 2010, Andaman had seen several incidents where rowdy-sheeters and hooligans have manhandled Police personnel on and off duty. Right from constables to Sr. Inspectors several officers were assaulted and manhandled by local rowdies.
Considering the prevailing scenario the then Director General of Police, Mr. S B S Deol had passed an order compelling all Upper-subordinate Officers to carry service revolver irrespective of their duty hours and uniform.
This act of the DGP was warmly welcomed by the officers and staff of A & Police department and it proved to be a remarkable achievement for the department as no incident of assault on public servant was reported in entire A & N Islands, after that.
One may recall the firing incident of 22/02/12 at Chandi Chowk junction, South Point where a Head Constable had to open fire to protect himself and his colleague from the murderous attack of few absconding warrantees.
The brave Head Constable gave a tough fight with the group of attackers and finally when he could not match the oncoming attacks he shot 2 rounds of fire in air which scared the attackers and the Head Constables saved himself and his colleague’s life.
But if today the same situation repeats the Head Constable will have to collect his service revolver from the armoury of Police Station Aberdeen, which will give plenty of time for the offenders to escape or complete their offence and if the officer directly visits the house of accused he will definitely get killed. Who will be responsible for the death of such officers?
A Policeman is dealing with criminals throughout his life and as such they invite several enemies who are constantly looking for an opportunity to settle the score and as per the recent orders of Police department any police officer can easily be attacked on his way home as he has to compulsorily deposit his arms at Police station before proceeding to home.
It is the duty of senior officers of Police to enumerate list of those police personnel who are directly dealing with or had been dealing with crime and criminals and equip such officers with service revolvers or taser guns.
All cops must be ordered to carry defensive arms 24 X 7 to face life threatening situations, which is a part and parcel of their duties. Officers with unsound temperament and disturbed mind should be excluded.
“If irresponsible and nonprofessional officers are given service revolvers, accidents are bound to happen” said a gentle Cop.
If any firing accident happens the negligent officer must be taken to task and strict action must be initiated against the negligent officer, withdrawing service revolver will make the ground force vulnerable and demoralize the hard working and brave cops of our island.
“Tomorrow if some officer or his relative hangs himself using khaki pant of uniform, will the department pull down our pants and force us to wear shorts to prevent such incidents” mocked another irate cop.
It is a well known fact that Andaman and Nicobar islands is progressing in a rapid pace and so is the crime trend. It is high time that senior officers of Police department evaluate the fast changing scenario and equip their ground force with all modern investigation and defense equipments to face new challenges of policing.
Hope the new DGP will understand the seriousness of the issue and issue orders for all cops (dealing with criminals directly) to carry defensive arms 24 X 7 to face life threatening situations.
This is a matter of great concern. If Policemen who are responsible to ensure public safety, law and order, are insecure in society, then what will happen with a common people.