Nearly four months after the Government issued an order for formation of the Ariyalur police district based on the proposal submitted by the Director General of Police, factoring in the law and order situation, there has been very little signs of progress in sight.
The bifurcation of Perambalur police district and Ariyalur police district took effect on May 25, 2009, and a sum of Rs. 10.4 crore was sought for formation of the structure of police machinery in Ariyalur district and reconstitution of the department in Perambalur district. Two new posts of Additional SPs, one post of Deputy Superintendent of Police for Armed Reserve, and one ministerial staff were sanctioned for Ariyalur district, and instructions were given for transfer of VHF sets, arms and ammunition, and 53 vehicles from Perambalur.
The progress has been witnessed only in the transfer of VHF sets. As for transfer of vehicles, the already existing number of 47 vehicles in Ariyalur district was taken into consideration. According to reliable sources, Inspectors of seven to eight of the over 20 police stations in Ariyalur district – there are only nine police stations in Perambalur district – face difficulties in undertaking patrolling operations without jeeps. Also two-wheelers have not been provided in adequate numbers to the police stations.
The code for pay drawing officer for Ariyalur police district is yet to be provided to the police department, and the difficulties the police in the district face in investigating crimes due to their continued dependence on the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Dog Squad, Forensic wing, and Crime Records Bureau in Perambalur district is palpable, according to advocates in the district.
Due to the time taken for arrival of the paraphernalia from Perambalur district at situations that warrant immediate investigation of crimes in places like Andimadam and Jayankondam in Ariyalur district, the investigating officers face the ignominy of losing out on gathering evidence, they explain, insisting that being a politically sensitive district – and once a haven of extremist elements – the process of the formation of Ariyalur police district must be expedited.
The present office of the Superintendent of Police in Ariyalur district was once a Union Club. It functions with sparse staff. And the camp office of the SP has been functioning from the Traveller’s Bungalow. Fortunately, the police department has vast lands in prime location in the district. Only the process of infrastructure creation has to gather momentum.
The public are, nevertheless, hopeful that the newly carved district that was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on November 27, 2007 – as the Minister for Local Administration then –will receive its due sooner than later.
