Handle communal elements firmly: DGP Praharaj tells cops

Handle communal elements firmly: DGP Praharaj tells cops


BHUBANESWAR: Director General of Police (DGP) Manmohan Praharaj on August 19 exhorted the state police to be strict and unbiased in curbing communal riots. This warning came in view of last year's ethno-communal tension in Kandhamal district.

Speaking at a seminar on the role of police in promotion of communal harmony and national integration, organized by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), in association with the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy (BPSPA) here on Tuesday, he asked the officers to be tactful while handling sensitive situations like communal riots.

"It is the duty of the police to instil a sense of security and confidence among the people," he said. He cautioned the officers against possible "misuse" of communal riots by criminals and extremists. The alacrity and patience of the force are very important under such volatile conditions," he added.

Kandhamal SP Praveen Kumar pointed out that what had not been done since independence to improve the police infrastructure was done during the past one year in the district. The district, with an area of 7,500 sq km and 2,500 villages, has 17 police stations with 12 staff personnel working in each of them. The situation has improved a lot in the riot-torn district, as 500 special police officers and two new police stations have been set up, he said. "But there is still a crunch in resources. In fact, the problem has increased ever since the withdrawal of forces. Intelligence has to be strengthened," he added.

Kandhamal collector Krishan Kumar said multi-departmental and multi-structured administrative approach is required to maintain law and order at a time when communal violence strikes. "People in the area must be engaged in meaningful engagements. For that, the district administration has started a unique initiative for the purpose. We call it the Antaranga," he added.

Special administrator for Kandhamal district Madhusudan Padhi said, "The problem must be nipped in the bud. Unless the root cause of the tension is detected and removed, it may raise its ugly head once again."

NFCH secretary Lalit Kumar said, "The police come in direct contact with the people more often than most other government functionaries. Especially in places that are so volatile, their contact is even more frequent and close. In such a situation, interaction must come with vision, understanding, tact, compassion and empathy towards the people and their cause. This will not only raise the public esteem of the police, but also lead to a healthy police-public relationship. It will also secure the desired measures of public involvement and co-operation in promotion of communal harmony."