Police pickets fail to serve purpose

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 17

The police had set up close to three dozen pickets in and around the city to control crime, but 12 of these pickets are non-functional. Moreover, these pickets were targeted by thieves.

According to sources, 13 pickets were installed by the Bathinda police four years ago and 20 more in September 2016 at a cost of Rs 20 lakh. Each picket cost Rs 1 lakh. The police also planned to have 20 more pickets in the city, but fund crunch stalled the move. Bathinda Tribune visited some of these pickets and found that no cop was deployed at a picket on the Bathinda-Dabwali road, while its door and iron sheets too were stolen.

The situation was no different at another picket situated near desert safari at Bir Talab village. Local residents said these pickets have turned into den for drug addicts and anti-social elements. Addicts could be seen taking shelter in these places to have their daily dose of intoxicants.

According to sources, when this picket was set up around four years ago, six policemen were deployed permanently, but after a year all of them were shifted. Besides, pickets on Mansa Road, Santpura Road and near the Sirhind canal were also in bad shape.

When contacted, SP (D) Swaran Singh Khanna said senior police officials were aware of the matter while he too has called a meeting to make these pickets better. He said some new places had been identified, where these pickets will be shifted to make them easily accessible to people.