Police public durbars to be held in every district
Srinagar: J&K Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain Monday asserted that the war against drugs can only be won with public support.
During an official function in Kupwara district, the police chief stated, “It is a war against those involved in this trade and against those involved in vitiating the peaceful atmosphere.”
Swain reiterated the significance of public cooperation in the battle against drugs and against the masterminds involved in this trade.
He added, “My officers always say that we cannot work without people’s cooperation, while keeping in mind that police are a service. We are thankful to the public for extending their support, and this is not just lip service but straight from my heart as public cooperation is very important.”
Emphasizing that special police officers (SPOs) are an integral part of the police family, Swain noted, “We always try to provide help to SPOs, their families, and children through different welfare schemes and also try to induct them into the regular police, which we have also done on various occasions.”
It’s noteworthy that SPOs are specially engaged on a fixed monthly packet, focused on youth. Apart from providing additional support to security forces, engaging SPOs aims at depleting the breeding grounds of militancy in J&K.
Discussing the extension of his public grievance redressal program to remote areas, the DGP stated, “It is the first time that we have moved out of station headquarters to hold the grievance redressal program at the district level.”
He further announced that the police public grievance redressaldarbar will be conducted in every district of Jammu & Kashmir, addressing the issues of the needy.
Swain clarified, “There are lots of public issues, and some are worth solving. But we are trying to resolve the things that are related to the police,” during media interactions on the sidelines of his Public Darbar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Responding to a question about police progression, Swain acknowledged, “Officers do put in my ear that police cannot be moved forward without public support.” Addressing the drug menace, he stated, “Policing is a service, and strictness is against some criminals, not for the common people and against those who try to disrupt the peace.” He expressed gratitude for public demonstrations with evidence.
The DGP asserted, “If one is honest and working with dedication, and if there are a few mistakes that happen, we are ready to forgive. But the condition is that you will work honestly.”
Highlighting the importance of polite police behavior, Swain shared, “Officers often say that if police behave politely with the common people, they will reciprocate in a big way.” He emphasized the reciprocal nature of positive responses from the public and expressed the desire to help them extensively, aiding in distinguishing between the innocent and the criminal.
Swain stressed that Special Police Officers (SPOs) are vital to the force, with ongoing efforts to integrate them into the J&K Police cadre. He remarked, “SPOs are an important part of the force, and working side by side with the Jammu and Kashmir police, efforts are on to bring them into the purview of J&K Police cadre.”
Regarding those performing exceptionally, Swain stated, “We are trying to bring them into the purview of the police cadre and have done so at times. This is an entirely different scheme, and we will try to bring it to the government’s notice.”
He reassured ongoing efforts to solve the problems faced by SPOs, providing loans for treatment or education, and sanctioning scholarships for their children. Swain emphasized, “Whatever is possible, we will try to provide them (SPOs) under an institutional way so that they could receive benefits, and efforts in this regard would continue.” The DGP concluded, “All our officers are highly worried about the SPOs and how to take them along, and whatever is possible, we will do for them.”
