Nearly 1,300 armed cops shift to KP divisions, some may be posted at hosps
Times of India | 26 October 2024
Kolkata: In all, 1,293 constables from Kolkata Police’s armed battalion were transferred to various divisions. The order was signed by Kolkata Police joint commissioner (headquarters) Meeraj Khalid on Thursday.
A section of these constables is likely to be stationed at hospitals following the removal of civic volunteers from hospitals in the city.
After successful training, 2,200 new constables also joined the 10 battalions of Kolkata Police on Friday. The police stated that this will boost the manpower of KP, especially before Kali Puja, and will reduce dependence on tertiary units like civil defence and NCC cadets.
Cops mentioned that they underwent training for six months, with a section of them being put on duty during this year’s Lok Sabha polls and the RG Kar-related protests.
After the removal of civic volunteers from hospitals in the city, the force was reeling under manpower shortage. “Deployment of additional cops was the need of the hour, especially at police stations and hospital outposts at night,” said an officer.
However, the senior officer noted that given there are 10 divisions now under KP, 110-120 constables can be sent to each division. “The actual augmentation on the ground at each unit will be between 10-15 personnel,” he added.
Barely a week ago, trainee home guards of Kolkata Police moved into different state-run hospitals across the city, a day after the withdrawal of all 136 civic volunteers from hospital duties following an order from the Supreme Court.
The SC barred the civic volunteers of Kolkata Police from being deployed in hospitals. “We will post constables at hospitals too instead of relying too heavily on home guards (and civic volunteers) as the former are the most trained amongst all the options available before us. These are sensitive postings,” said an officer at Lalbazar.
The trainee constables were recruited for Kolkata Police at the end of last year and underwent training at centres in Salua, West Midnapore and Domjur in Howrah under each division, besides at facilities in Kolkata. Following a directive from Lalbazar earlier, they were released from training for the first time during the LS polls to assist with police stations or traffic guards for nine days.