In a stern directive, West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh said that despite shortage of manpower, police personnel should reach the spot within 20–25 minutes of receiving information about any incident.
Ghosh said that in several advanced states, police teams are able to reach an incident site within 20 to 25 minutes of receiving a call. However, in West Bengal, it often takes two-and-a-half to three hours. The Minister was addressing a programme organised by the Siliguri Metropolitan Police on Sunday.
“We are aware that the police force is currently facing a manpower crunch. Even then, every effort should be made to ensure that police reach the spot at the earliest after receiving information,” he said.
The minister expressed hope that the staff shortage would be addressed soon, stating that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has already announced that recruitment of police personnel will be undertaken during the current year.
The programme marked the introduction of five Traffic Marshals by the Siliguri Metropolitan Police as part of efforts to strengthen traffic management in the city. A joint Tourism Department-Police Tourist Helpline was also launched to provide assistance and support to visitors facing any difficulty during their stay.
Ghosh also called upon police personnel to discharge their constitutional responsibilities impartially, mentioning that law enforcement agencies must act strictly in accordance with the powers vested in them under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
“No matter how influential a person may be, if he rides a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, action must be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
Ghosh also cautioned that misconduct of a few officials should not bring disrepute to the state government, and urged the police to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.
Expressing concern over rising incidents of rash driving, the minister requested Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waqar Raza to organise training and sensitisation programmes for drivers to promote safer driving practices and help reduce road accidents.
Ghosh appreciated the initiatives already taken by the Siliguri Metropolitan Police to improve traffic management. Referring to the reduction in travel time between Venus More and Darjeeling More from around 28 minutes to nearly 16 minutes, he described the improvement as commendable and urged the police to continue efforts to further ease congestion.
Police Commissioner Syed Waqar Raza, speaking at the programme, said the commissionerate has intensified efforts to keep citizens informed through social media and is continuing focused action against narcotics-related offences, financial scams and traffic violations, while also working to strengthen the overall criminal justice process.