Former RJD leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan hugs chief minister Nitish Kumar after joining the JD(U) on Friday. Picture by Deepak Kumar n See Page 4

Patna, July 29: Concerned over the spiralling crime-graph in the state, chief minister Nitish Kumar has categorically stated that police officers would be punished for laxity. But no action has been taken against 10 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), whose performance in the past one-and a-half years was assessed as not up to the mark.

Top sources said the state police headquarters had recommended action against 10 DSPs after their performance was not found to be satisfactory at the review meeting convened by the director-general of police (DGP) at the police headquarters on July 6, 2011.

On the other hand, nine out of the 12 inspectors, who had also failed to live up to the expectations of the bosses, were removed from their field postings and shifted to the criminal investigation department at the police headquarters. Departmental proceedings were also initiated against them.

The sources said the police headquarters had earlier sought the performance appraisal report of sub-inspectors, inspectors and deputy superintendents from the deputy inspectors-general and the inspectors-general. The reports were submitted to the police headquarters in March this year.

However, no action was taken against any official on the basis of the performance appraisal reports. “The reports are gathering dust at the police headquarters despite the fact that they were prepared with utmost care,” said a police officer.

On Friday, DGP Neel Mani again issued directives to all the range DIGs, asking them to identity five to eight station house officers (SHOs) in every district whose performance was not up to the mark. “The list of the non-performing SHOs should be sent to the headquarters by August 4,” the DGP’s missive said.

The DGP said stern action would be taken against the “worst performers”. “They will be removed from field postings and departmental proceedings will be initiated by August 15,” he said, adding that the performance of the supervisory circle inspectors and DSPs would also be assessed.

The chief minister called an emergency meeting of senior officials of the home department on July 28 to assess law and order in the state. The chief minister later issued a directive to create a database of criminals and collect fingerprints to check crime.

At a meeting on July 26, the chief minister had directed the state police chief to ensure that every police station remained vigilant to nab the criminals. “Officers will be punished if they fail to maintain alertness. No laxity in maintenance of law and order will be tolerated,” Nitish is understood to have told the police officers at the meeting.

He had also asked the DGP to update the appraisal report of officials posted in the field. “The appraisal reports of the police officers posted in field must be submitted in time,” Nitish is believed to have said.

Top sources said the chief minister has reviewed law and order thrice since November 2010 when he took over the reins of the state for the second term. The second term has witnessed a spurt in crime much to the chagrin of the police top brass.