How do you plan to improve law and order in Bihar?
We are trying to get at the root of the nature of crimes. The crime pattern six years earlier was mainly about the power of guns for extortion of money. Now we have to trace those who are acquiring money illegally in connivance with public servants. A group of wrongly empowered people may have been behind most recent crimes. The trend looks dangerous but we plan to out-think them.
How would you get at those not yet framed in corruption cases?
We are strengthening our economic offences wing to trace these people. We are keeping an eye on the assets of public servants. Key departments are being identified where there is the maximum chance of complicity [in corruption] of government servants and private parties. There is no need for any fresh laws; the existing IPC provisions and anti-corruption laws are good enough to send them behind bars. We have worked something out with the advocate-general and don’t want to reveal more at this stage.
Do you think the few cases of confiscation of public servants’ property are good enough a deterrent?
It has just begun. More cases can come to light as we investigate. As for the first property confiscation case, one can see the public response. It has already started serving as a deterrent.
What is your take on the subject of Bihar deploying over 9,000 special police officers (SPOs) in Naxal areas as against the Supreme Case stand on this?
Even we hold that empowering Naxal-affected people with guns is not the solution. It is a short-term measure that can be phased out as soon as we have more socio-economic interventions in these areas. Dozens of welfare schemes by the Central and state governments have been going on. We have to monitor these schemes from the policing perspective and win the confidence of people.
Do you not think that a specialised Special Auxiliary Police for Naxal areas will be demoralised with lack of coordination with the district police?
We have now put the SAP, formed with retired Army jawans, under the Additional DGP, law and order, and then under the IG (Operations). If an SP wants deployment in SAP, he has to coordinate with the ADG and the IG. We have to take better care of SAP personnel’s welfare, including good food and lodging, for sure.
What are you doing to prevent corruption at constables’ level?
We are not denying corruption at their level. Punitive action is one part; we are also thinking about a long-term solution — giving them dignity, good salary and better working conditions. We have some definite plans for them. We need some time (The DGP is due to retire in December 2014).
By doing so, are not you replicating the
Super 30 model in policing, which may not work?
We mustn’t think just as men in uniform. We have to take everything holistically. Policemen are from this society itself, with similar needs. A humane approach can work well.
We hear that you have started a one-on-one interaction with SPs.
SPs are leaders, managers of their districts in modern terms. We need to identify problems. My process could take time but may yield good results.
Will you continue to take Super 30 classes?
Yes. My role is one of guidance. I take classes depending on my schedule. That does not put any extra burden on my work as a police officer.
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