After reviewing the security set-up, the Chandigarh police today withdrew around 180 of their
personnel, who were deployed on personal security duty with politicians, public men and senior
police functionaries.
The withdrawn personnel, including seven ASI and SI-level
cops, will now be free for regular duty. A further reduction of security duty is in the offing,
senior police functionaries said.
Seventy-five of the police personnel, who were freed from
security duty, were deployed on night patrolling on the outskirts of the city tonight. These cops
have been posted in east division and south division where incidents of snatching have been
reported on a regular basis during late night hours.
Orders to withdraw guards and personal security officers
(PSOs) were issued today after a thorough review of the security requirements and threat
perception of the individual. The threat perception was studied as some of the deployment had been
made during the time of
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militancy,
a senior official commented.
The escort, vehicles and escort parties with the
SP’s and SSP’s have also been withdrawn. They will now carry their own PSO in their
cars. The Inspector General of Police, Dr Kiran Bedi, has also reduced her own security, the
security of Mr Pawan Bansal and Mr Vinod Sharma, both former MPs has been slashed among other VIPs
of the city. The same is true for the former mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta.
Total of 20 guard pickets were abolished today. The guard
duties had also led to staff shortage in Chandigarh police. The deployment was made when the force
was augmented with 25 companies of paramilitary forces.
Slowly the companies were reduced to 14 in number while
replacements were made with Chandigarh police personnel.
The idea is to strengthen the police stations and use
this force on the outskirts. The men will also be used on duties to curb and manage agitation's. |
