View of Kolkata Police Headquarters at La Bazar, Kolkata. (Image credit: PTI/File)
Kolkata Police issued new instructions on the conduct of home guards and citizen volunteers after a drunken citizen volunteer crashed into a roadblock on August 30 and was arrested after local residents staged a protest.
The area became a major embarrassment for the Kolkata Police after Sanjay Roy was arrested for the alleged rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital and an incident involving a drunken citizen volunteer.
Now police have issued new instructions on the behavior of home guards and citizen volunteers. sources revealed CNN-News18 Home guards or citizen volunteers will be fired if they are found to be impaired while performing their duties. They said the West Bengal government has now decided to take a strict stance on complaints against citizen volunteers' conduct and other issues, a system that came into effect after the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government came to power in the state.
On the evening of August 30, a drunken citizen volunteer crashed into a police roadblock and was released. He was arrested only after massive protests by local residents. Following the incident, Kolkata Police issued strict instructions on Saturday (August 31).
Sources said instructions have been issued to all senior officials that if any home guard or citizen volunteer is found drunk on duty, he or she will be punished. Home guards and citizen volunteers must take extra care when dealing with the public, they said.
Complaints have also been received about police personnel being drunk while on duty, which is completely unacceptable and exemplary punishment should be given to anyone found guilty of such behaviour, the directive said.
Security officers are also required to behave with dignity and civility in public places, even when they are not on duty, as this is expected of members of the disciplined forces.
Sources said officials were told that everyone should be briefed repeatedly, if necessary, to ensure compliance, while “sainik sammelans” must be organized regularly at different levels to ensure compliance.
Citizen volunteers assist the police in day-to-day law and order activities. However, there were many complaints about their behavior and corruption issues emerged.
