Police to rope in guards and watchmen for enhanced safety
NEW DELHI: Aimed at curbing crimes and maintaining law and order in Delhi, the Delhi Police on Wednesday launched new a community policing initiative named “Prahari” that will involve private security guards and night watchmen as force multiplier for police personnel.
The scheme was launched by Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik during a community policing event organised at the Aman Vihar police station.
Through this initiative, the city police have attempted to strengthen their manpower by enlisting 1,200 security guards and night watchmen. These Praharis will help the police personnel to enable improved policing in the vast territorial areas of police districts.
“The capacity of policing will be greatly augmented with the help of our Prahari scheme. Chowkidars (watchmen) will act like eye and ears of the police. It will help to bring professionalism in the work of chowkidars by giving them appropriate training and enabling frequent police-Prahari interaction,” said the police commissioner while addressing the gathering at the event.
Patnaik said that the initiative will also help to convey long due social recognition to the hard work done by Praharis. “They will be motivated to do their job with zeal and commitment. Prahari will be partners in ensuring peace and security,” he added.
Deependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (southwestern range) who is also the spokesman of Delhi Police, said that the enlisted Praharis will be given training in various aspects of area such as surveillance, frisking, keeping watch on doubtful elements.
“In this way manpower of more than 1000 is virtually added in the outer district police for more effective and visible service delivery,” he said adding this scheme will be started in other districts as well.
“There are 13 police districts in Delhi. If each district manages to enlist 1,000 security guards and night watchmen then 13,000 additional Praharis will be added in our current strength of around 78,000 personnel,” added Pathak.
POLICE MITRAS INDUCTED
Around 400 ‘Police Mitras’, members from the general public who will help with policing in Delhi, were inducted in the South-Eastern Range on Tuesday.
The mitras, comprising senior citizens, doctors and community leaders, were inducted in a programme attended by the Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and several other senior police officers.
Romil Baaniya, DCP (SouthEast), said the mitras, or friends, are expected to be well-acquainted will the residents of the area and will help police in organising self-defence camps and ensure safety of women.