Superintendents of police (SP) and the Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) will now lead night patrolling parties in the city.
The focus is on controlling crime after sunset. "There has been a vehicle checking drive, which started in mid-December and is continuing," DIG (central range) Shalin told The Telegraph today.
"The drive, which aims at ensuring people wear helmets during the day, has borne positive results. The police raked in around Rs 1 crore in fine today. The police have now decided to seriously focus on night patrol, as there is a perception that police presence and pro-active work during daytime is not being complemented at night. Today, I held a review meeting to discuss night patrol. Instructions have been sent to SPs and the Patna SSP to lead by example. They should be out on the streets and lead some night patrol parties so that junior officers are also motivated," Shalin said.
On Friday, the DIG had said three review meetings would take place with the DSPs and SPs to chalk out a night patrol plan. The police have begun stressing, more than ever, on patrolling after sunset, especially after the robbery at a flat in SK Puri area on Wednesday evening. The case has not seen a breakthrough yet.
"All SHOs of police stations and DSPs were today directed to conduct night patrol everyday from now on. They can choose any time after dark for the same," Shalin said. "Senior officers are not required to do so during the day when there is adequate police presence because of the ongoing vehicle checking drive. The SPs and the Patna SSP would have to lead some night patrolling teams and actively participate in them. The SPs should ensure their subordinates carry out night rounds regularly and sincerely. The patrolling must be carried out in a planned and synchronised manner so that there is optimum utilisation of manpower and other resources," the senior officer said.
Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj told The Telegraph that beat policing he had talked about in the recent past had started but "not in the true spirit" until now. "It has to be properly initiated and planned further. We now see police presence after sunset in different parts of Patna. However, the police needs feedback from people to know the real-time situation," Maharaaj said.
The DIG said he will monitor night patrolling from now on. "I shall monitor this personally and any violation of the above orders will be viewed very seriously and action initiated," Shalin said.
Residents said night patrolling needed a lot of improvement. "It is shocking that robbers enter a household at 8.30pm and carry out dacoity with ease," said Rahul Kumar, who lives in an apartment on Boring Road. "There are many points in Patna where policemen are not to be seen after sunset. The police must strengthen its presence if they want a safe Patna."
