Focus on increasing effectiveness of manpower: CP, Nikhil Gupta says training will be imparted to enhance number of investigators

Aurangabad, Feb 10: Commissioner of police (CP) Nikhil Gupta today said that the police administration has initiated steps like imparting training to increase the effectiveness of the existing manpower.

The CP visited Lokmat Bhavan today. Speaking to senior editorial staff members, the senior IPS officer, who had a stint as the DCP here from 2002 to 2005, spoke about a variety of issues including changes he noticed in the city since 2005, his plan for improving policing and steps to curb cyber crimes. Following are excerpts from the discussions with the suave top cop.

Manpower management

Before seeking the additional manpower, we are studying the use of the current staff. I do believe that for various reasons like lack of training or good opportunity, not all of nearly 3700 people we have today are giving 100 per cent output. Instead of having three people on guard duty, can we have only one with the remaining two assigned other duties? Three police men have been assigned at a traffic signal but are they working or indulged in chatting?

We have drawn up a list of nearly 250 to 300 police naik to assistant sub-inspector rank employees at various police stations who are not currently investigating cases. Some of them might have come from State Reserve Police, might be ex-army or lesser educated. We are imparting six days training to them so that they can take up simple investigations, leading to increase in the number of investigators and lessening load on those already investigating.

Aurangabad then and now…

Aurangabad has been known as a communally sensitive city. When I was DCP here, there were political and citizens issues also. As a young officer, I took some initiatives and was assured that if I erred, there was the then CP to guide me. Now, I am in the CP’s shoes and have to play the same role for my subordinating officers. Honestly, what I am doing is concentrating on basic police duty.

Land is source of conflicts

What I have observed is that land has become the source of a lot of conflicts. Daily 40-50 people come to meet me. After a question or two, land issue crops up. The land rates which were Rs 100-150/square feet then have now grown tenfold. This has given rise to land mafia and goondaism. To ensure that criminal elements do not dominate, we compiled list of dadas, land mafia and extortionists and initiated preventive action or banished them. Economic offences have also grown. People are assured hefty returns through investment in shares or other avenues. Sadly, they are still falling victim to such offers.

Traffic issues

The traffic has increased a lot in the last 15 years. We have initiated steps to ensure that traffic police are visible and audible (they blow whistle) so that offenders know that they are being watched. We registered 3.5 lakh Motor Vehicle Act cases and collected fine of Rs 10 crore in the last four months of 2020 from people driving triple seat, wrong side or jumping red light. Before making any big changes,small steps like these are necessary to ensure basic discipline. We have introduced a mobile number wherein people can raise traffic related issue which will be followed up by us. People can also shot videos of traffic violations and send us. We will act keeping the identity of senders secret. I do believe that as responsible citizens, people should take care of their city. Officers can remain only for 2 to 3 years here.

Wrong side driving

Due to measures taken to improve traffic system, some people have to drive half a kilometre more to take a detour. They must realise that for the benefit of a large number of people, these restrictions are important. Under the Smart City scheme, 750 cameras will be fitted in the city. Once they become operational, we will begin sending technology-based challan to offenders.

Drug addiction among youngsters

In the past, the incidence of drug addiction was very rare. However, now many youths are found addicted to pills, whitener, ganja and charas. They may not be taking drugs in big quantity but you might find them take a pill and remain under its influence for 4-6 hours. We have already registered cases against people supplying drugs, which are not locally produced but are being received from outside. Many crimes, including murders, have been committed by accused under intoxication which is a matter of concern.

Cyber crimes

The cyber crimes committed using computer, mobile have increased. We may not be having the state-of-the-art manpower at the city cyber police station but people we have are good, highly motivated and technically qualified. They provide 24x7 backup support to all police stations dealing with cyber crimes. Plans are there to conduct training sessions for them and increase our capacity in software and hardware.

Parking problem

We need to get used to concept of keeping vehicles in parking zones and walking towards shops. We are looking forward to demarcation of parking and hawking zones by the municipal corporation which will help in mitigating this problem.

Conviction rate

Currently, our conviction rate is 55-57 per cent and we are aiming to increase it to 70 per cent by increasing quality of investigation and close supervision by ACPs, DCPs and myself.