Port Blair, Oct 19: In 1858, the Government of India raised the “Sebundy Corps” for the protection of Penal settlement in Andaman and appointed Captain H. Man to carry the scheme into effect. This pattern of “Sebundy Corps” was similar to a military organization. It was assisted by a body called the “Convict Police” distributed at various points in the Convict Settlement. In 1869, the British Government took formal possession of Nicobar and 8 Companies of Military Police were deployed to control Convicts and enforce rules of Penal Settlement. Later, the strength was reduced to 4 Companies. In addition, there was strength of 75 police personnel belonging to the Civil Police. The Police Headquarters was set up at the Supply Lines and the Gymkhana Ground was used as their Parade Ground.
The Police Act of 1861 is acknowledged to have marked the start of formal policing in India and is still on the statute Books.
In January, 1875, on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Port Blair, Government of India vide Notification No. 377 dated 24th August 1875 extended the Police Act of 1861 to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Chief Commissioner was made the Inspector General of Police. Captain Wimberly was the first official District Superintendent of Police.
In 1884, the force was strengthened and headed by a District Superintendent with two Inspectors, 2 SI’s, 8 Chief Constables, 40 Sergeants and 600 Constables. In 1888, the force became the ‘Military Police Force’.
In 1915, a Civil Police force was established to deal with crime and criminals. In 1924 it was separated from the Military Police. Mr. H.G.L. Biggie was the first officer of the Indian Police appointed as the District Superintendent of Police.
The islands were under the Japanese occupation from 23rd March 1942 to 8th October, 1945. After British re-occupation, a fresh batch of officers and men called the “Deputation Force” drawn from the Special Armed Constabularly of the U.P. and Punjab Police were brought under the command of Mr. M.C.G. Littlewort, I.P.
During the year 1965, the Delhi and Andaman Islands services were established and the District of Andamans was divided into three Sub-Divisions, namely South Andaman, North Andaman and Nicobar Sub-Division.
Today the A & N Police force comprises of the Executive Police, Armed Police, Special Armed Police, Jarawa Protection Force, Police Motor Transport, Police Marine Force, Police Radio, India Reserve Battalion and Fire Service with sub-units such as the Forensic Laboratory, Dog Squad, Commando Unit, Bomb Disposal Squad, Finger Print Cell etc. Manpower has been diverted to strengthen the Police Stations, Traffic Branch and other essential units. The UT of the A & N Islands currently has 23 Police Stations, 18 Out Posts, 12 Jarawa Protection Posts, 11 Look Out Posts, 20 Fire Stations, 23 Police Radio Stations and 203 VHF Mobile and Static Stations.
The A & N Police force is today headed by the Director General of Police assisted by 2 IGsP, 1 DIGP, 6 SsP and 19 Dy.SsP. The sanctioned strength of the force is as follows:
Unit Sanctioned
Police 3079
Fire Service 638
Police Radio 284
IRBn 1007
Total 5008
In addition 792 Home Guards also assist the A & N Police in performing their duties.
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