Society can help check rise in crime: ADG, HQ

Patna: Complete prohibition, and action against illicit liquor and sand trade are among the top reasons behind the surge in attacks on police teams in Bihar, additional director general (ADG), police headquarters, Kundan Krishnan tells TOI's Kshitiz.

What are the main reasons behind the recent surge in attacks on police teams?The implementation of complete prohibition has created a significant black market for liquor, leading to confrontations between law enforcement and illegal operators. Additionally, our crackdown on sand mafia has met with violent resistance. Particularly concerning is the rapid mobilisation of mobs through social media during incidents, especially accidental deaths.

These platforms can sometimes spread misinformation.

What are the measures to counter such attacks?We're addressing this challenge on multiple fronts. First, we're currently operating at 50% of our optimal manpower. So, we're implementing a comprehensive recruitment drive – around 21,000 newly recruited personnel will begin training soon, and we plan to add another 19,000 this year. We're also focusing on expanding our Emergency Response Support System vehicle fleet.

The recruitment of additional Bihar Special Armed Police personnel is another crucial step to strengthen our force.

What actions are taken against such attackers?We've adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents. Our approach involves swift identification of attackers using modern surveillance techniques and witness accounts. We're registering cognizable cases and ensuring a quick probe. Our teams are working diligently to prepare comprehensive charge sheets for speedy trials.

The focus is on securing convictions through solid evidence gathering and prosecution.

This sends a clear message that attacks on law enforcement will have serious consequences. How are you addressing this growing concern?Our personnel's safety is our top priority. We're in the process of modernising our equipment, replacing older weapons with the latest ones, to ensure our personnel are better equipped to handle dangerous situations.

We've also implemented a comprehensive insurance scheme – families of deceased officers can receive up to Rs 1.5 crore, while injured personnel can claim up to Rs 50 lakh. What about community policing to prevent such incidents?Community policing is absolutely crucial in our strategy. We're actively working to strengthen the police-public relationship through regular community meetings at village and panchayat levels.

These meetings serve multiple purposes – help us educate people about illegal practices, gather intelligence and build trust, besides fostering a sense of cooperation. Society plays a vital role in crime prevention, and we need its cooperation.

We're encouraging citizens to become our eyes and ears, reporting suspicious activities before they escalate into violent confrontations. Any long-term strategy to address the root causes?The challenges we face require a multipronged approach.

While we're strengthening our force through recruitment and better equipment, the long-term solution lies in building stronger community relationships. We're committed to maintaining law and order while ensuring the safety of our personnel.Patna: Complete prohibition, and action against illicit liquor and sand trade are among the top reasons behind the surge in attacks on police teams in Bihar, additional director general (ADG), police headquarters, Kundan Krishnan tells TOI's Kshitiz. What are the main reasons behind the recent surge in attacks on police teams?The implementation of complete prohibition has created a significant black market for liquor, leading to confrontations between law enforcement and illegal operators. Additionally, our crackdown on sand mafia has met with violent resistance. Particularly concerning is the rapid mobilisation of mobs through social media during incidents, especially accidental deaths.

These platforms can sometimes spread misinformation.

What are the measures to counter such attacks?We're addressing this challenge on multiple fronts. First, we're currently operating at 50% of our optimal manpower. So, we're implementing a comprehensive recruitment drive – around 21,000 newly recruited personnel will begin training soon, and we plan to add another 19,000 this year. We're also focusing on expanding our Emergency Response Support System vehicle fleet.

The recruitment of additional Bihar Special Armed Police personnel is another crucial step to strengthen our force.

What actions are taken against such attackers?We've adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents. Our approach involves swift identification of attackers using modern surveillance techniques and witness accounts. We're registering cognizable cases and ensuring a quick probe. Our teams are working diligently to prepare comprehensive charge sheets for speedy trials.

The focus is on securing convictions through solid evidence gathering and prosecution.

This sends a clear message that attacks on law enforcement will have serious consequences. How are you addressing this growing concern?Our personnel's safety is our top priority. We're in the process of modernising our equipment, replacing older weapons with the latest ones, to ensure our personnel are better equipped to handle dangerous situations.

We've also implemented a comprehensive insurance scheme – families of deceased officers can receive up to Rs 1.5 crore, while injured personnel can claim up to Rs 50 lakh. What about community policing to prevent such incidents?Community policing is absolutely crucial in our strategy. We're actively working to strengthen the police-public relationship through regular community meetings at village and panchayat levels.

These meetings serve multiple purposes – help us educate people about illegal practices, gather intelligence and build trust, besides fostering a sense of cooperation. Society plays a vital role in crime prevention, and we need its cooperation.

We're encouraging citizens to become our eyes and ears, reporting suspicious activities before they escalate into violent confrontations. Any long-term strategy to address the root causes?The challenges we face require a multipronged approach. While we're strengthening our force through recruitment and better equipment, the long-term solution lies in building stronger community relationships. We're committed to maintaining law and order while ensuring the safety of our personnel.