Bhubaneswar, May 7: Lack of manpower has hit the functioning of the police outpost at Saheed Nagar, one of the busiest market places in the city.
While the sanctioned strength for the outpost is 20 constables, it is currently functioning with only four. The market place, however, has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade.
Local residents said the outpost was essential to maintain law and order and for immediate response in case any untoward incident. However, the lack of manpower has made them dependant on the police station located near Vani Vihar Square.
"The outpost is located in the market area and is supposed to provide immediate assistance. However, because of the lack of manpower, we have to call the police station in case of emergencies," said local resident Debashish Jagati.
He said burglars also took advantage of the situation and the area witnesses frequent burglaries.
Several business establishments including multiplexes, hotels, showrooms and mobile phone and computer service centres have come up at Saheed Nagar in the last decade.
Several outposts under other police stations face similar problems. Police officials said the lack of manpower has made these outposts almost defunct.
"Earlier residents used to visit the outposts over petty issues, which were settled there. Matters which cannot be solved amicably in the outposts are then forwarded to the police station. This reduces the burden on the stations. Now, almost every complainant is forced to visit police stations, adding burden on the cops there," said a police official.
Police sources said around 300 constable posts are lying vacant in police stations across Bhubaneswar, affecting the functioning of outposts.
Policemen deployed at these outposts can also be seen taking the task lightly.
"It is futile to expect the outposts to run on adequate manpower when all police stations in the city run without their sanctioned strength. It should be better if the outposts are closed and the men deployed there be brought back to the stations," said another official.
Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the government notified recruiting more than 1,200 constables for the state in March. "We will strengthen the functioning of outposts with new recruits," said Bhoi.