Following a protest by women recruits over poor management at the Gorakhpur training centre, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna took swift action by suspending three officers and issuing strict directives to all 112 Recruit Training Centres (RTCs) across the state.
Photo: X/@Uppolice
Following a protest by women recruits over poor management at the Gorakhpur training centre, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna took swift action by suspending three officers and issuing strict directives to all 112 Recruit Training Centres (RTCs) across the state.
In an official communication to the heads of all RTCs on Thursday, DGP Krishna instructed them to immediately review and improve essential services for trainees. This includes ensuring adequate drinking water, proper electricity supply, nutritious food, and a clean and hygienic environment. He emphasised the importance of accessible medical facilities, particularly for woman recruits, to prevent a repeat of the issues witnessed in Gorakhpur.
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A large number of women police constable recruits on Wednesday staged a protest at the 26th Battalion Provincial Armed Constabulary campus in Gorakhpur, alleging poor living conditions and mismanagement at their training centre. A video circulating on social media purportedly showed trainee constables saying they were forced to bathe in the open due to the lack of proper facilities.
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Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence, the DGP warned that any lapse in providing basic amenities would be dealt with firmly. He also reminded all recruits to adhere strictly to discipline and warned of stern action against any misconduct or behaviour that violates government service rules.
Earlier on Wednesday night, the Uttar Pradesh government removed DIG Rohan P Kanay from his position as Principal of the Police Training School (PTS) in Gorakhpur after he issued a controversial directive calling for pregnancy tests of female trainee constables. The officer has now been placed on a waiting list.
The decision comes in response to strong backlash over a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) by Kanay, requesting medical tests, including pregnancy tests, for all women recruits. Once the letter got circulated on social media, it sparked widespread criticism, prompting immediate intervention by the police headquarters. Authorities clarified that no such tests were mandatory and promptly cancelled the directive. Kanay later claimed that the inclusion of the pregnancy test in the letter was an error and had since been rectified.
In the meantime, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anil Kumar (First), a 1994-batch PPS officer, currently posted at Gorakhpur PTS, has been appointed as Principal in charge.
The government also acted in a separate case involving negligence of facilities for women recruits at the 26th Battalion PAC in Gorakhpur. Following the suspension of Commander Anand Kumar, ASP Niharika Singh, a 1997-batch PPS officer currently posted at the Central Reserve Store in Kanpur Nagar, has been appointed as commander in charge.
Additionally, DIG Satendra Kumar has been removed from his position as Principal of PTS Meerut and placed on the waiting list. DIG Poonam, who previously served as DIG of the PAC Agra section, has been appointed in his place.
These developments come as the nine-month basic training for newly recruited constables began on July 21 across 112 training centres. Initial guidelines stated that if any recruit was pregnant, she could defer training to the next batch upon submitting an affidavit. However, officials have emphasised that no mandatory pregnancy testing is required.
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