E-Paper
Police stations, outposts in poor state
Police stations are an integral part of the society. Without them living in this crime infested world would be impossible. But ironically they are in a poor state not only in this city but nearly in every district of the state.
Police stations are an integral part of the society. Without them living in this crime infested world would be impossible. But ironically they are in a poor state not only in this city but nearly in every district of the state.
Believe it or not most of the police stations built in rural areas in pre and post-independence period are in a better state than the ones existing in the city. The conditions of outposts is even worse.
George Town police station, one of the most important police stations in the city, doesn't have toilet facilities. There's no proper accommodation for the station officer. During rains the police station becomes an island. One has to tread in knee-deep waters to reach it.
Kareli police station is functioning from a place meant for a shop and Attarsuiya police station gives you idea that the building would not survive this year's heavy rain. Darashah Azmal and Leader Road police outposts are functioning from 'Nagar Nigam Gumtis'. What to say about toilet facilities there is no room for cross ventilation. One feels choked after sitting inside any one of them.
Bamrauli and Dhumanganj police outposts are more or less in the same category. A strong gail and Shivkuti police station would come hurtling down , says a sub inspector on condition of anonymity.
Those in a better condition than the rest are also decaying in the absence of proper maintenance. Several station officers in the district perform official duties from under a thatched roof. Many of them have put in their own money to plaster the crumbling walls and ceilings.
None of the police stations either in the city or in rural areas have required accommodation for the men manning them. Worst hit are the constables.
No civilian is ready to rent out his rooms to the men in uniform. With the result many constables are forced to sleep in the verandah of the police station with a suitcase or box kept under the cot.
Their family members are obsessed with inferiority complex.
Such is the accommodation crisis at a police station that a constable posted there comes daily on duty from several kilometres away in case he has managed to get accommodation elsewhere.
A police officer on condition of anonymity said the prevailing chaos was due to government's apathetic attitude towards the men in uniform.
With no facilities to us the government wants us to be alert all the time.
Whatever little funds are available they are diverted elsewhere. While the officer class is living in style and luxury those in the field work are rotting, he rued.
