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May 30, 2016

​Rising communalism in UP a matter of grave concern, says DGP Ahmad

​Rising communalism in UP a matter of grave concern, says DGP Ahmad
Sandeep Rai | TNN | May 10, 2016, 11.12 PM IST

Meerut: "Rising communal temperature in the state is a matter of concern, especially when we are gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections," said Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmad in an exclusive interview with TOI.

The top cop was on a visit to Meerut for a review of the security arrangements in the zone that comprises nine districts. In the last two months, the hyper-sensitive western UP has witnessed a considerable number of communal clashes that have kept the police on toes.

Ahmad said, "We have, however, the means and ability to handle such incidents of highly sensitive nature. We always keep an eye on the lumpen elements who supply fodder for such situations."

The DGP also expressed his displeasure on the sudden rise in attack on cops in the region. With reference to the recent killing of a cop in Noida, he said, "Criminals attacking police is a disturbing trend. The old mindset of taking a sufficient number of policemen to tackle a criminal needs to be shelved. Now the cops need to be more tactical and professional in managing such situations. The response needs to be quick and full of precision."

However, Ahmad seemed satisfied with the way UP Police has been handling crime in the state. "In the last couple of months, we have made significant progress in curbing crime in the state. It is largely under control. We have cracked or are on the verge of cracking some more high-profile cases. For instance, it is a matter of time before we will reveal the faces of those involved in the murder of Pushpjeet Singh, brother in-law of jailed gangster Munna Bajrangi, in Lucknow on March 5. Similarly, we recently cracked a Rs 40 lakh dacoity in Ghaziabad. A large number of criminals are already in jail."

The top cop seemed to be on back-foot on the incidents of criminals running extortion rackets from within jails in the state. In Meerut alone, there was an instance just a week ago where four sharpshooters of dreaded gangster Uddam Singh's gang were arrested by the police after it came to light that the gangster, who is lodged in Lucknow jail, had threatened a doctor on phone and through WhatsApp.

"Jails have actually become porous and all senior officials are really concerned about that. To tackle the problem, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has been roped in to manage the security of five UP jails where some high-profile criminals are kept. Close monitoring on the movement of these criminals is being done through CCTV cameras. Jail authorities have also agreed to maintain a log of the antecedents of those persons who come to meet these criminals in jail. And above all, efforts are on to ensure these criminals do not have access to mobile phones in jail."

On deteriorating public-police relationship, he said, "Police have to be impartial in its dealings with public. If they are not, then they are inviting trouble. Public wants non-partisan behaviour of police. They need to act just and need to be seen just too."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Rising-communalism-in-UP-a-matter-of-grave-concern-says-DGP-Ahmad-/articleshow/52211928.cms