Suvendu announces mega recruitment of 1 lakh cops for Bengal

In a major overhaul of the state police, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that 100,000 new police personnel would be recruited and women cops would be posted close to their home districts.

Speaking at the state police headquarters, Bhawani Bhawan, Adhikari also mentioned that the state government has decided to modernise the police force and deal with the problem of manpower shortage through this mega recruitment drive.

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The Chief Minister also launched a number of public helpline lines so that people can report crimes directly. With the introduction of the new helplines, people can lodge complaints at any time by using the special toll-free number, which can be reviewed by the Chief Minister.

The helpline numbers are:

155334 – Complaints related to alleged “cut-money” (illegal commissions)
1553335 – Complaints regarding alleged syndicate-related corruption
1553337 – Complaints concerning alleged illegal roadside tax or toll collection
1553339 – Complaints related to illegal liquor activities

The government mentioned that priority will be given to complaints concerning alleged demands for cut-money, operations of ‘syndicates’ connected with sand, stone, and cement, illegal toll collection at roadsides, and the illicit trade in alcohol.

Hitting out at the previous government, the Chief Minister mentioned that over the last 15 years, the public perception of the state’s administrative machinery and the police have taken a hit. Adhikari promised that the administration would strive to rebuild the reputation of Bengal through better policing and improved public services.