To improve relations between the police and the public, the new Navi Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Kumar, has instructed senior police inspectors and deputy commissioners of police to go into the field and interact with citizens.
Usually, the police invite community members and corporators for meetings at police stations, but the turnout tends to be poor. Mr. Kumar, however, has told his officials to conduct meetings at public places instead.
With the Maratha Kranti Morcha threatening to intensify its agitation on Thursday, officials from both police zones have been interacting with the citizens to make sure law and order is maintained during the protest.
Mr. Kumar said, “The main idea behind the initiative is to understand and solve issues faced by the public at the ground level. This will also help us collect information. Ahead of the upcoming festivals, such meetings are needed to maintain law and order and to make police more accessible to the public.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone I, Sudhakar Pathare said officers started conducting meetings on Saturday. “They first figure out an area in their jurisdiction with issues that need to be addressed, and locate the nearest garden, temple or chowk that can accommodate at least 30 people. They inform residents of the area a day before, and meet them. I have been meeting Koparkhairane villagers and Mathadi workers myself due to the sensitivity of the (Maratha agitation) issue,” he said.
Ashok Dudhe, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone II, said officials have urged citizens to protest peacefully. “We are telling people that protesting is their right, but they do not have any right to damage public property or to commit crimes like arson. Any protest has to be peaceful. Creating law and order problems is not the right way to agitate,” Mr. Dudhe said.
A police official said that only a few people would attend the earlier community meetings. “The same set of people would come every time, have tea, and leave. And when needed, these people were not seen. The people who are actually affected are never addressed by the police. For the first time, the police are meeting the common man with no middleman,” the official said.
