4 months on, only 3 FIRs registered

Rachna Khaira

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 14

Even though a majority of the Punjabi diaspora hail from rural areas in the state, the NRI (rural) police station could only register three FIRs since January 1 this year and only 15 in the previous year. The place located between another eight police departments is nothing more than a mystery place to explore for rural NRIs coming from far-flung areas.

The outside view of the police station situated near the Patel chowk is much creepier with the building surrounded by overgrown bushes and garbage stuck underneath and around old disputed vehicles parked for years in the common compound. While the whole country is running the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the Jalandhar police are yet to begin the exercise at its city police stations.

According to data received from the Police Department, the station had registered around 15 FIRs last year. However this year till date, the number reached only three. While the staff received around 127 complaints, a majority of them were received through online. It has only received five complaints through the 181 toll free helpline, the NRI grievance redressal number in the state.

Also, while the police station has managed to declare around 13 persons as proclaimed offenders (POs), it could only manage to arrest around three till date.

Though former IG NRI Gurpreet Deo visited the NRI (Urban) police station many times in the past, surprisingly, no one has ever paid any visit to check the functioning of the police station since it was established in 2013 in the city.

Also, the station is fighting many logistic challenges, including transportation and meeting daily expenses. According to sources, it is used to provide stationary and other office requirements to its staff until last year. However, this year, it refused to provide any further help and asked the staff to get it directly from the NRI police wing.

Though, the IG, NRI, Ishwar Singh, was apprised about the issue, he is yet to issue an order in this regard. Staff members are left with no choice but to buy the office stationery and other daily things at their own expense due to the delay in the issuance of notification.

DCP Harjeet Singh, also having an additional charge of AIG, NRI wing, claimed ignorance about the issues.

“I am not aware about these issues as I have taken charge two days ago. However, I will visit the police stations soon to look into the matter myself,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, with elections around the corner and NRIs playing a decisive role in the whole process, the ‘abandoned ‘ NRI police stations are clearly pointing towards the failure of the state government to provide any relief to the Punjabi diaspora in their fight against crime.

Major challenges

The police station does not have its own separate building and is situated in a common building which also houses six other departments. It makes difficult for NRIs to locate the PS opened specially for their felicitation.

No provision of impress cash to staff members. The rural police or the Punjab NRI police wing has even refused to issue stationary material to the staff members since January this year. The staff is reportedly buying stationery and meeting other daily requirements by collecting money amongst them.

There is no parking or reception area for the rural NRIs coming from far-flung places.

The police staff is not provided any dedicated vehicle to ferry the accused NRIs or disputed dowry material. Even the SHO himself has not been given a separate vehicle.

Footfall of NRIs is almost nil during off season (February to September) in the state.

Harjeet Singh, DCP, Jalandhar and additional charge, NRI wing: “I have taken over the charge two days ago. I will personally visit both the NRI police stations soon to analyse the problems myself. Since a majority of the NRIs are from a rural background, I will try to improve the situation at the earliest.”

Hayer visits NRI Urban police station

Taking cognisance of the Jalandhar Tribune report published on May 13 pertaining to the sad state of affairs at the NRI (Urban) police station, Kamaljit Singh Hayer, member, Punjab NRI Commission, today visited the place and interacted with police officials. He also checked visitors’ register and interacted with an NRI family who visited the place to register a complaint. Hayer said he would take up the matter with the IG, NRI, to improve the condition of the NRI police stations across the state.