Districts now have to keep CMO in the loop on rape, murder, loot…

“The recent circular by the DGP says we are to report incidents of murder, loot or rape to the office of the Chief Minister whose mobile number has been mentioned,” a Senior Superintendent of Police said.

“We used to update senior officials — DGP, Home control, ADG (Law and Order), Range DIG or IG zone — anyway; the circular reiterates that major incidents be reported to senior officials,” he said.

“But what is new is that we now have to directly update the DGP as well as Principal Secretary (Home), and of course the Secretary to the CMO, through fax as well as over phone,” the SSP said.

At a meeting in Lucknow last month, the CM had asked the DGP when did he learn of the Badaun incident —  where two minor girls were raped and hanged from a tree.  The DGP had reportedly replied “next day”. Throughout the meeting, the CM was reported to have repeated that “no compromise on law and order will be tolerated”.

“I have made my intentions clear in the circular; (as for the updates to the CMO), he is the executive head of the government…he can be up-to-date if he wants to be,” the DGP told The Indian Express.

Officials say the updates would help seniors keep track of the developments and assist district-level police to decide on requirements as per the nature of crime, such as additional force, if needed.

“The UN taking note of Badaun incident is very embarrassing; obviously it must have been a factor for the CMO to get involved,” another SSP said.  “Also, with top officials in the loop, the SSPs and SPs would be under pressure to address the crimes,” he said.