Dehradun : ‘Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest; yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum/Drink for the devil or drink for the rest; yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum’.
This seems to have been the swan song of six policemen, including the in charge of the Doon Hospital Police Outpost, whose revelry was cut short by the untimely arrival of SSP, Dehradun, the state capital of Uttarakhand.
Though the cops on seeing the city police chief made a hasty retreat, but the SSP himself was taken aback on seeing the bottle and glasses kept on the table and snacks for company.
Needless to say that all the six police men posted at the police outpost have been suspended, but not before he gave them a piece of his mind.
Police sources here said that there had been complaints for quite some time now that the cops manning the outpost were not only rude in their behavior to the people who came to lodge complaints, but also asked them to comply to their demands.
The demands mostly were for liquor, cigarettes and even money. They said that complainants who went to the police outpost after sunset, were aghast to see the cops drinking on duty and no complaints were attended to.
This had allegedly been going on for quite some time and information was given to the higher ups. It was while acting on this information, that the SSP Kewal Khurana saw for himself what was going on and took action.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
In the sprawling complex of the Polo Ground of the Paradise City in 2007, an impressive police function/parade was held with much fan fare & extravaganza where Maj Gen Khanduri -the then CM was the Chief Guest.It was here, a new Police Flag & Motto of Uttarakhand Police was handed over to the Director General.The Master of Ceremonies described at length the genesis of the MOTTO-MITRATA-SEWA-SURAKHA & the in-depth deliberations that were held in the Police HQ reaching these three magic words by consensus I ,along with senior academicians, bureaucrats & eminent people of Dehradun were sitting together watching the entire ceremony.Immediately, all of us asked each other the concept & wisdom of this Motto. How come, you can put MITRATA & SEWA before SURAKSHA ,we asked each other ! We saw the Flag with these words being hoisted & become the working ethos & philosophy of Uttarakhand Police.
SURAKHA should, always & every time ,be the FIRST, SEWA the next & MITRATA( If needed !) be the last & always the last..So it was a wrong vision right from the beginning.
The event described reflects total lack of commitment of the Police.They are direction less,confused & demotivated.Unfortunately, the leadership & training is wanting in a big way.The law & order situation in the state is appalling with daily increase in murders, thefts,rape,loot & arson.Even temples are not being spared by the thieves Every day,brass/copper bells & other valuables are being stolen from these places of worship. There is no action .There is no recovery.Sad spectacle indeed !!