E-Paper
None willing to join as SSP, Ardh Kumbh!
The administration is in a quandary. After posting a DM and Mela officer incharge for the successful completion of Ardh Kumbh fair which is round the corner, a hunt is on to post a suitable police officer as SSP.
The administration is in a quandary. After posting a DM and Mela officer incharge for the successful completion of Ardh Kumbh fair which is round the corner, a hunt is on to post a suitable police officer as SSP.
Insiders say, no senior police officer is willing to come to the city as SSP Ardh Kumbh. The possibility of a major terrorist attack which cannot be ruled out has alerted cops everywhere. The serial blasts in Mumbai trains and three blasts at Malegaon in Maharashtra which killed nearly 40 people and injured about 200 others the other day has sent alarm bells ringing in police circles.
Some SPs and SSPs who have already served in the district have politely refused the offer given to them. Police sources said, two former SSPs were earlier interested because of two reasons. One was religious significance and the other good reputation which follows after the successful completion of the world's biggest religious fair.
But one terrorist blast after the other at several places in the country has forced even the willing cops to roll back their thoughts. They feel better ensconced at the present place of their posting rather than face disrepute in case of any happening , say cops.The thought of suspension which is a foregone conclusion in the event of any incident has also forced cops to resist posting in the Ardh Kumbh fair. Under such circumstances the government is left with the only option of sending an officer against his wish, say cops.
There are several occasions when police loses all control over the mob in such a big gathering. Such occasions are during the peak days when nearly five lakh people or even more take a dip together in less than half an hour with continuous heavy rush of pilgrims to the bathing ghats throughout the day.
A senior police officer said, the perpetrators of Jaunpur train blast, two incidents in Ayodhya and the Varanasi blasts were in some way or the other linked to this city. In 2001 at least five terrorists had stayed in a township of the district.
Their harbourer, Waliullah, was later arrested, released and then again arrested after his alleged role in the Varanasi blasts. So, with the city being in the itinerary of terrorists and blasts occurring every now and then, no sensible police officer would willingly come to control a crowd which cannot be counted.
