Controlling violent crimes is a major challenge: CP Amitesh Kumar

 

BEING a son of a top civil servant of Bihar, Amitesh Kumar decided to follow the footprints of his father since childhood and don the Khaki uniform in the very first attempt. Discipline and transparency flows in his words when one interacts with the dynamic police officer. And he wants the same to percolate in the Nagpur police force. Born on September 26, 1972, Kumar always followed his aim of becoming all India service officer with dogged determination. After doing 12th from Delhi Public School, Kumar did honours in economics and became Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1995 batch.

 

After taking reins of Nagpur City Police, Kumar has carried out massive crackdown on land-mafia and other illegal activities. Being a disciplined officer, Kumar does not indulge in making false claims. In a freewheeling chat with ‘The Hitavada’, the Commissioner of Police shared his opinion on the aspects of policing and his plans for Nagpur city.

 

Q: What was your first reaction when you became IPS?

 

A: I was extremely happy. My father was in State Civil Service of Bihar and becoming a member of all India Civil Services was a big achievement and whole family celebrated it.

 

Q: What is your idea of ideal policing?

 

A: Policing is basically upholding the rule of law in a transparent manner without prejudice to anyone and enforcing it uniformly however powerful or rich one may be. The law should be same for reach and poor person.

 

Q: Your are known as a dynamic police officer. What is your idea of modern policing?

 

A: In modern policing, too, objectives are same as in traditional policing. However, use of technology to supplement and complement the efforts of the policemen is very important in modern world. The forms of crime have changed to the extent that Cyber Crime and Economic Offences which were not major issues in the past have come to the forefront. The stakes involved in such offences is very high. There is often a thin line between an economic offence being classified into a civil dispute. Knowledge of law and utmost priority to transparency is important in handling such matters. People have become more aware of their rights and responsibility. Accordingly, the police have to exercise utmost caution so that they are legally correct.

 

Q: When Dr. K Venkatesham was CP Nagpur he had launched beat policing. It is a standard practice in Maharashtra. How would you use beat policing in Nagpur?

 

A: Beat policing is very important and we have already activated it in Nagpur. Beat marshals, mobile patrolling vans reaching the spot and hearing people’s grievances is very important. We are ensuring that the grievances of public is taken to authority and right officers and action according to law is taken. Patrolling has been intensified across the city. As this is the season of Diwali, one can see our men doing foot-patrolling in market areas. We are changing patrolling patterns as per the need of time.

 

Q: What is your idea behind launching crackdown on land mafia?

 

A: Land disputes are long pending issues. Many a time, serious crime occurs due to land disputes as very high stakes are involved. As rates of properties are increasing, criminals and anti-social elements are trying to exploit it. Because of the ‘Dadagiri’ of such elements, the rightful owner faces problems. Despite big investments they do not enjoy the benefits of their property. Land mafia also indulge in extortion and then they graduate in bigger forms of crimes. This flourishing of criminal elements is totally unacceptable. Hence, we are trying to crush the land mafia. Stern action against such elements is my priority.

 

Q: What is your action plan to combat land mafia?

 

A: We are scanning all pending complaints and also organising complaint redressal camps every Saturday which are attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officials. We are looking at documents of complainants and registering offences accordingly. If we find it is a matter of civil dispute, then people are asked to visit court.

 

 

Q: What are the challenges in tackling crime in Nagpur?

 

A: Murder and body offences are the major challenges in Nagpur as people have a violent tendency. We are working on a strategy to control violent crimes. Controlling street crimes including robberies and indiscipline on streets is also our priority. We are coming down heavily on such elements.

 

Q: In the past training of officers had certain methods of instilling high moral and professional values. But these days many people lament that these values do not enjoy same respect as they did previously. What is your opinion?

 

A: Transparency is very important in policing and our officers and men should have high moral and ethical value. We have made it very clear to senior officers to motivate our men to work honestly. Very strict action will be taken against such people. Leadership in the police department is ensuring that such people are appropriately counseled.

 

Q: Service means ‘Seva’ but many officers forget this ‘Seva’ element and behave like an owner. What is your response?

A: I do not agree that it happens at a large-scale. Individual aberration is there but they can’t openly violate rules.