Cops put on duty without training

Patna: The violence by trainee constables on Friday after the death of their colleague Savita Pathak due to dengue exposed the functioning of police department in the state. Altogether 720 constables recruited recently have been at the Police Lines here for training since August 10. But, sources said, state police headquarters directed the officers concerned to put them on traffic duty even without a single day of training. Literally, they are unaware of discipline and ethics required in the police service.

The untrained constables went on rampage alleging that Savita had been suffering from high fever for the last three days but the DSP in charge of them did not allow her leave and put on duty for 12 hours throughout this period.

A senior IPS officer, on condition of anonymity, said none can expect these untrained constables to be disciplined and perform duty until they get proper training, which is for 226 days.

Patna zonal IG Nayyar Hasnain Khan said allegations against Mashluddin would be probed. Khan admitted that taking duty from untrained constables was not a wise decision, but he defended the headquarters in the backdrop of extreme pressure on police force in Patna. That might be the reason behind their deployment, he said.

“After Friday’s incident, a review meeting was held at the Police Lines and senior headquarters officials have been requested to take these untrained constables immediately off duty and send them to different training centres,” Khan added.

One of the untrained constables said whenever they used to ask about training, seniors used to tell it would start in a day or two. “Neither our training started nor we were granted leave when demanded. We are forced to perform 12 hours duty,” she said.

Sources said Patna is the only place where even untrained constables of 2016 batch are deployed on law and order duty, some of them even with arms, while all their batchmates across the state have completed training.

“Instead of focusing on proper training, they handle law and order situation, which is very dangerous for the police force in the long run. This is one of the major reasons behind the Friday’s revolt,” said another IPS officer.

Some police personnel also alleged that DSP Mohammad Mashluddin, who train women constables and was beaten up badly on Friday, was rude with his subordinates and did not grant leave even in need. “He has been posted at the Patna Police Lines for more than two decades and dictates his own terms. Senior officers also listen to him and they hardly interact with constables and other subordinates. That made the juniors angry with him,” a policeman said.