Hyderabad: The Telangana government’s plan to introduce citizen friendly policing seems to be in the doldrums. Though the initiative was aimed at introducing global policing standards in Hyderabad the inadequate strength of the police department with constables having no weekly offs may not make people friendly policing a reality.
“Without filling the vacant posts of constables how do officials expect friendly behaviour,” ask constables working in the police stations of Hyderabad. Forget about the new sanctioned posts, the government should at least fill vacant posts pending since years, say cops.
Some officials say that citizen-friendly policing can be a success only if constables behave well.
Mr Narayana (name changed), a Hyderabad constable working for the last 20 years says. “After working for 36 hours we are allowed to go home, but that’s not an off. We may be called at any moment,” says Narayana.
He added that working in cities like Hyderabad with lots of festivals, political meets, VIP movements and law and order duties is highly stressful. “After the men are divided for duties like writers, sentry, ID party only 10-15 constables are left for the field and they are on duty without offs. How is it possible to be friendly?” Narayana asked.
Mr Satish (name changed), another constable says that work meant to be done by 50 constables is now done by just 15. Every police station has around 50 constables, but only juniors and one who are not close to officers are made to work, he said.
Hyderabad police has a strength of around 9,000 including officers. Every month around 20-30 cops retire in Hyderabad. The number of vacant posts in TS is around 6,000 of which 4,000 are in Hyderabad.
Responding, DGP Anurag Sharma said, “Around 6,000 posts are vacant in TS and we have already sent the proposal to fill them.” He said there is a need to fill 4,000 posts in Hyderabad and very soon we will try to release the notification.
