Yogesh Sagotra
Jammu, Apr 1: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain Monday said that security shouldn’t be a status symbol in the UT but a need basis affair as the force was working on a plan to ensure individual security is done away with.
“In Europe, police chief moves around with just two guards. There is a different security system and atmosphere all around as they have secured the areas. We have not reached that stage yet….,” DGP Swain told reporters in reply to a query that the Home Minister Amit Shah recently stated that the Centre was considering revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and troop-reduction in J&K. The J&K police chief, said that police is working on a plan to create an atmosphere where security shouldn’t be treated as “a status symbol but a need-based affair.” The DGP Swain was speaking to reporters at Police Training School Kathua district of Jammu.
He said as far the reduction in security resources is concerned that is because of change in the situation. “There is another aspect which is to give security to people and protected persons in a professional manner,” DGP said. “We are tyring to get connected to the people and other stakeholders that police force is for them. We are trying to create an atmosphere where we will ensure that through technology, and other means give a proper security while cutting the size of persons entrusted to protect people.”
He said that police were working on a plan where securing homes and individuals would no more be an issue.
To a query about security arrangements for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the DGP said that top officials of the security grid are in touch with the Centre to ensure safe and secure environment for the polls, upcoming rallies and candidates in fray.
About the women participation in police, he said that there is a strong need to increase the women number in police. “At present women contribute only 6 per cent to police family. Today, 922 women constables joined as well. As far the expansion of force, that’s a government decision. We will request the government in future as per our need and requirement to expand the force,” he said.
