Odisha: DGP asks cops to reach out to people

BHUBANESWAR: The state police headquarters has asked police stations to ensure seamless delivery of police-related services to people during lockdown, which will come into force across Odisha from Wednesday till May 19.
Realising that people in need or trouble will face difficulties in going to police stations during the lockdown, the director general of police (DGP) Abhay has issued a circular to the deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to address the grievances of people over phone and WhatsApp.
“Like the previous lockdown, people will be unable to visit police stations or district police offices during this lockdown. Hence, phone-based system of redressal of public grievances should be revived and strengthened like the last lockdown,” Abhay’s circular read.
The district police headquarters must have a functional police control room for people to lodge their grievance. Depending on the volume of work, the number of personnel may be increased, if necessary. District police control room numbers should be popularized through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Each police station should also circulate their phone numbers among the people. DCPs and SPs should personally review the phone-based grievance redressal system, the DGP’s circular said.