Chittorgarh rolls out novel project for better policing

UDAIPUR: Chittorgarh police has rolled out a special project ‘Chittorgarh - Ek Pahal’ with an aim to connect with the villagers and solve problems related not only to law and order, but improve the overall situation of health, education and livelihood.
There are eight police circles in the district and each circle officer (CO) has been assigned a village with the largest crime rate, especially community-based traditional crimes, to deter the younger generation from taking the wrong path. “Rather than hard policing, our focus is more on soft policing now. COs of all the eight circles have been directed to chalk out innovative ways by which they can build trust among the public. They would regularly meet the villagers, stay in touch with them and be a part of their lives,” Deepak Bhargava, Chittorgarh SP, told TOI.
“Traditional crimes, loot, property related disputes, etc., are high in some communities like the kalbeliyas, kanjar, bavri, and we have chosen eight villages from each circle in the first phase, where such crimes are prevalent. Crimes related to opium smuggling, hooch manufacturing, too, are prevalent. The villages selected for special care are Surjana (Chittorgarh), Rajgarh (Begu), Pacholiya (Rawatbhata), Keljhar (Gangrar), Kannauj (Bhadesar), Mungana (Kapasan), Bansi (Badi Sadri) and Bhagwanpura in Nimbahera circle,” said the officer.
Besides all schemes directed from the police headquarters like Gram Rakshak, Police Mitra, etc., some additional activities like forming youth clubs, afforestation works and repairing damaged roads will be done with the help of volunteers.
“If needed, cops may conduct special classes in schools to spread awareness about girl and adult education, health, hygiene, sanitation and other issues. We are planning to collaborate with the road transport department to hold licence-making camps, with the medical department for health camps in these villages,” he said. “The project took off last month. On Independence Day, our COs and SHOs were asked to celebrate the event in their adopted villages where sweets were distributed, plantation work was taken up. The senior officers spoke to the community headmen to know about their problems. It is a beginning and it may take some months for the results to show,” additional SP Sarita Singh said.