Cops told to carry guns on patrol duty

The appaling regularity with which police officers are being thrashed by irate Delhiites on one pretext or another these days has finally set alarm bells ringing at the Delhi Police headquarters. Jatin Anand reports.

The appaling regularity with which police officers are being thrashed by irate Delhiites on one pretext or another these days has finally set alarm bells ringing at the Delhi Police headquarters.

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As the din gets louder — what with at least three lower police functionaries, usually constables, being assaulted between December 31 and January 4 —carrying licensed arms while patrolling their beats has now been made mandatory.

"Although verbal orders to patrol in pairs have already been communicated through sampark sabhas and formal briefings, a written order requiring beat officers to carry arms while patrolling will be issued shortly," said Dharmendra Kumar, special CP (law and order).

The make of the weapon that each patrol-bike pair (consisting of a rider and a pillion) carries, Kumar said, will depend on the area's criminal and demographic outline.

Officers patrolling beat areas located within the city, where population density is high and is mix of both commercial and residential areas, will be required to carry small fire arms like 9 mm Glock pistols and INSAS stenguns.

However, those patrolling Delhi's expansive outback, which is prone to high-speed car chases and highway robberies, will have to carry long-range fire arms like .303 bore rifles and, possibly, even MP5 machine guns.

"The point is not to gun down any or every petty thief or criminal whom they confront on the street, but to gain a psychological advantage over a potential attacker even before being forced to fire in self-defence," said an officer.

Meanwhile, sources claim that the constabulary have also been dissuaded from wearing uniforms while off duty or commuting to their respective homes if they happen to be located away from official postings.