Centre sanctions more funds to arm Bihar police

NEW DELHI, December 26: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 5 crore to Bihar for “strengthening” the police and has directed the state government to raise another Rs 5 crore for this purpose. This comes after the massacre of 61 Dalits in Jehanabad by the Ranvir Sena, a private army of landlords.

The killing had exposed the inadequacy of the state police with top police officers alleging that there was no proper chain of command and that the police stations were thoroughly inequipped to deal with the Naxalites and the landlords’ armies. The Union Home Ministry has said it will monitor how the state uses the money. “We have provided strict guidelines on what all to focus on,” Home Secretary B P Singh told The Indian Express today.

“They need more police stations, vehicles, bullet-proof jackets, weapons, communication system and other support system.” At several police pickets in Bhojpur and Jehanabad, the hotbed of Naxalite-landlord clashes, constables complain of salaries and even the basic allowances not coming on time.