Panchkula gets quick response team

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 28

In a bid to tackle terrorism and deal with major law and order problems such the one witnessed in the city during the Jat arakshan protest earlier this year, Panchkula has recently got a quick response team. It includes an anti-riot vehicle (ARV) and 10 special weapons action team (SWAT) commandos. To “easily act upon the target”, the ARV will move around the city 24 hours a day.

The only other city in Haryana to receive a similar team is Gurugram. The ARV has been connected to the control room and has started its duty in the city. The ARV is capable of “dismantling a crowd of hundreds” in a matter of seconds and is equipped with a gas gun, a light machine gun and a plastic fire gun.

The team will be given some additional responsibilities as well. These include anti-terrorist campaigns, security of VVIPs and disaster management during earthquakes, major fires and other calamities. ACP Munish Sehgal said the quick response team was inducted into the Panchkula force last week. “Although the Panchkula police have the necessary arrangements to control all kinds of situations, this team will help in acting quicker and better,” he said.

The vehicle keeps changing its position every hour in the city. Locations in its route include national highways, the Bella Vista roundabout, the Majri roundabout, the rally barrier, Gandhi Colony in Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 16, and the roundabout of Sectors 11 and 15.

The Panchkula police currently have 800 personnel. Commissioner of Police RC Mishra, who claims they are understaffed, plans to double the strength soon. More police stations are also being planned, including one in Morni, says Mishra.