Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand has sent an urgent communication to the state home and hill affairs department, which is headed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, highlighting serious security concerns. The letter states that the force is grappling with an acute shortage of 10,401 constables, 666 police drivers, and 673 sub-inspectors.
Repatriation of Deputation Officers Sought
Nand has also requested that since filling these vacancies will be a time-consuming process, all officers presently on deputation with Bengal Police in the ranks of inspectors, sub-inspectors, and assistant sub-inspectors be repatriated to Kolkata Police at the earliest. So far, names of 22 such officers have been identified.
State-Wide Vacancy Audit Ordered
The development comes barely hours after the Bengal government directed all administrative departments to submit detailed reports on vacant posts by June 3. This is part of a fresh initiative to strengthen the administrative machinery and expedite recruitment across departments. In a communication issued by the finance (audit) department, the state government said the exercise was aimed at ensuring efficient service delivery and addressing the large number of vacancies pending for a considerable period.
Impact on Daily Operations
Highlighting the acute shortage of manpower in the subordinate ranks, the Kolkata Police top cop emphasized that the current deficit is severely crippling the day-to-day operations of the city police. According to data accurate as of May 1, the massive vacancy pool has made it increasingly difficult to adequately man vital units, including local police stations, specialized battalions, the detective department, and the special branch.
Administrative Strain Due to Bhangar Division Inclusion
The letter has highlighted the administrative strain presently on Kolkata Police, which they have argued was further compounded by the recent inclusion of the vast Bhangar Division under its jurisdictional fold. The expansion has stretched the existing, dwindling manpower to its absolute limits, claimed sources. Officials stated that maintaining effective results in crime prevention, detection, and handling the city's complex law and order situations has become a monumental challenge.
