Risk is inherent factor in policing, says top cop Bassi

Jung remains tight- lipped over fate of Delhi Assembly

Breaking his silence on the recent spate in attacks on police personnel, the Delhi police commissioner, Mr B. S. Bassi, on Monday termed these attacks as “part of the job” and said that people should not “read too much” into such incidents. Mr Bassi was speaking at the Delhi police headquarters where lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung launched force’s anticorruption advertisement campaign. Mr Bassi also said that risk is an inherent factor in policing and three back- to- back incidents, where policemen became victims of violent attacks, were just a “coincidence.”

“Policing always has an element of risk inherent in it. The way police works, policemen are never on the ground in a group. At times, only one or two policemen are patrolling in the area and they can come under attack by criminal- minded people. It is not an exception and we find it is a part of our job. Three incidents happening within a few days, you can call it coincidence,” Mr Bassi said.

Asked whether the top police brass was mulling to provide any special training to their personnel in the wake of the recent incidents, Mr Bassi said: “The training which is given to our men makes them strong enough to protect themselves in such a situation”

He also mentioned that police personnel have been briefed by senior officials to keep their safety in mind while working at odd hours. “Every policeman takes a pledge while joining the force that even if he faces the danger of losing his life, he would not shy away from his work. Risk is an inherent factor in policing,” he added.

On the occasion, Mr Jung remained tight- lipped over the future political course in the city. “I would not like to make a comment on the political scenario at this moment,” he said.