Chitrakoot saw 5 SPs in 2 years

The Chitrakoot district,which witnessed a 50-hour firefight between the police and dacoit Ghanshyam Kewat...

The Chitrakoot district,which witnessed a 50-hour firefight between the police and dacoit Ghanshyam Kewat,has seen five SPs in two years of the Mayawati Government,the longest tenure of an SP being a little over six months.

Ashok Pradhan,the current SP,was posted there on February 19. By the time you start gaining confidence of the people,you get the marching orders, said a former police chief of Chitrakoot,adding that an officer needed at least one year to understand the topography of a district.

Chitrakoot,which has nine police stations with each covering a vast area,shares boundary with Madhya Pradeshs three districts Panna,Rewa and Satna and dacoit gangs operate on both sides. An officer needs time to develop rapport and coordination with his counterparts of MP which is not possible in a short tenure, said another officer.

Since gang members keep changing their location in both states,the anti-dacoity operations cannot succeed without proper coordination between the police of the two states at district level. If the MP Police mount pressure,they shift to UP, the officer explained.

Time is also needed for an SP to develop his own information network and to know his requirement of secret funds. I wrote to the Government demanding funds. Before the Government took a decision,I was transferred, said still another officer.

Chitrakoot is also considered a punishment posting for constables. If the police headquarters get complaints about a constable,they send him to Chitrakoot. So,you end up heading a force that has such elements, said a source.

After spending two months,I found there is a high demand for arms licenses. The gangs use people who possess arms. And,for getting arms licenses,people offer to become informers. But what is the guarantee they will give you correct information, asked the officer.