Gaya: As IPS officer Vikas Vaibhav is set to assume charge as Inspector General of the Magadh range, he confronts a multitude of challenges in what is considered one of the most demanding field assignments in Bihar. In a social media post, Vikas expressed happiness over receiving a field posting after a gap of six years and vowed to prove equal to the task.
Scope of the Magadh Range
The Magadh range comprises five districts and has 107 police stations, according to available figures. Gaya district alone, which also serves as the headquarters of the Range IG, has the highest number of police stations at 46. Arwal district has the lowest number with 11 police stations. The range includes the districts of Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal.
Challenges in Policing
According to retired IG MA Kazmi, policing in the Magadh Range remains extremely challenging on any given day. Kazmi, a former Superintendent of Police of Aurangabad district, said that although Maoism has virtually faded away and no longer poses the kind of threat it did nearly a decade ago, several other serious issues have emerged and continue to keep the police administration on its toes.
Experts believe the operations of the sand mafia currently pose the most serious challenge before the police administration. The mafia is believed to possess considerable muscle and firepower and has attacked police teams on dozens of occasions, causing injuries to personnel and damage to police vehicles.
Only a couple of weeks ago, around half a dozen police personnel were injured and a police vehicle was damaged during an attack by members of the sand mafia engaged in illegal mining. Most of the questionable sand mining activities are carried out in the Falgu and Morhar rivers in the region.
Sources believe a strong administrative will is required to rein in the sand mafia as its members are believed to enjoy high-level political patronage. Many of them are also associated with different political parties and participate in electoral politics either as vote mobilisers or active contestants.
Rising Crime and Traffic Issues
Incidents of burglary, robbery, and snatching have also increased in recent times, and several such audacious crimes have taken place in broad daylight at unexpected locations. More intensive patrolling, a higher level of alertness, and prompt punitive as well as preventive measures are being seen as necessary to control the situation.
Traffic congestion remains another major concern affecting common people, said Arun Kumar Prasad, former principal of a postgraduate college. He expressed hope that the new IG would address issues such as blatant violations of traffic rules, underage driving, serpentine driving, wrong-side driving, and reckless overtaking.
About the Author
Abdul Qadir is a widely acclaimed journalist having expertise in ultra left extremism, political dynamics, and the education system. With a 30-year long stint in journalism, Qadir has also been associated with several social, literary, and cultural activities. He has also taught Economics in a Post Graduate College in Bihar.
