Lack of manpower, infrastructure cripples Latasil police station

GUWAHATI: At a time when there is widespread resentment over the stealing of the Ugratara Dewalay’s centuries-old main idol, the revelation of the rickety state of the Latasil police station is fanning the fuel of anger among the masses.

It was speculated that the so-called modernization of the entire police forces and the establishments of the police commissionerate in Guwahati will strengthen the vigilance against various anti-social elements. However, the city residents have been getting a polar experience. In a recent check made by The Sentinel at the Latasil police station, the above statement has turned only a reality.

According to a source, excluding to the officer-in-charge (OC), presently, there are only two sub-inspectors (SI) against the five sanctioned posts while there are only 2 assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) against the sanctioned posts of 3. Moreover, there are only 12 constables, including two female personnel against a total of 30 sanctioned posts. Accordingly, the Latasil police station has only 10 home guards. Moreover, the police station has since years been managing the entire emergency services like patrolling, transporting of jail inmates, post mortem, running to the Court and others with only one vehicle (papa).

Surprisingly, there is no staff quarter for the entire strengths of the Latasil police station. Under this given situation, the officers and other staff have been scattered in rent houses located in different corners of the city, which is undoubtedly hampering their mental and physical proximity in certain emergency situations.

It must be noted here that under the Latasil police station, there are numbers of residents and institutions of high importance like Raj Bhavan, Brahmaputra State Guest House, Deputy Commissioner’s Bungalow, Judge’s Bungalow, High Court, Magistrate’s Colony, political party offices like AGP, BJP, CPI (M), Planetarium, Don Bosco, Swahid Nyas Bhawan, Cotton College and Handique Girls College Hostels, offices of the Social Welfare, Handloom and Textile, Archeology, Rabindra Bhawan, Museum and others.

Situating in such a central location of high-security concern, how the crippled Latasil police will mitigate the impending challenges can easily be assumed. Is it what do we call smart infrastructure for the smart police?

Also Read: Guwahati News