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City police caught in a ‘rotation’ trap Law & order

Deputation of a large number of personnel attached to the city police to various parts of north Kerala is affecting policing in the city. At least 50 personnel, including middle-ranking officers, have been deployed at the riot-hit regions of Kasaragod and Kannur districts. Over 100 personnel, deputed for policing at Thrissur Pooram and Sabarimala temple since Monday, have just returned. But after a couple of days’ leave they will soon join the forces at Kasaragod and Kannur districts.

The existing strength of the city police is 10 ACPs, 8 Circle Inspectors, 55 Sub Inspectors and 350 head constables. A senior official said that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) and the two ACPs (Traffic) along with a Circle Inspector have been deputed in Kasaragod while the ACP (North) is on leave. The post of Circle Inspector (Traffic) has been lying vacant for the past two months. The officer, assigned for the post, is yet to be relieved from duty from the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB).

No alternative arrangement could be made since the ACPs and Circle Inspectors have to be deputed on rotational basis in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The shortage of supervisory level officers has led to an increase in number of crimes, particularly thefts, in the city. Now most of the work has to done by the Sub Inspectors impinging on the night patrolling system. Traffic system has also gone haywire in the city due to staff shortage.

The deputation of personnel on rotational basis has also indirectly affected the smooth functioning of the city police. At least two days are spent for journey as well as handing over charge.

The deputation of middle-level officers has also to an extent disturbed the security arrangement at the communally sensitive areas of Marad. At any single time a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) has to be on duty with 50 personnel for 12 hours. This means that two DySPs and 100 personnel are deployed at the seaside village round the clock. Usually policemen are drawn from neighbouring districts for weekly duty. To cap it all, the minimal staff have to cater to the security of visiting VIPs, the police said.

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