In a significant move aimed at reshaping policing strategies, Gujarat's newly appointed in-charge Director General of Police (DGP), Dr KLN Rao, has launched a comprehensive 'One Day, One District' initiative. This program is designed to bridge the gap between the state police leadership and ground realities by facilitating direct, one-on-one dialogues with district-level officers.
Direct Dialogue for District-Specific Solutions
Dr Rao, who assumed his role on December 31, has outlined a schedule where he will personally meet the Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Range Inspectors General (IG) of each district. The stated objective, according to a government release issued on Thursday, is "to find the ground realities in each district" and to plan policy decisions and resource allocation based on these specific needs.
The initiative kicked off with its first meeting on January 7 with the SP of Dangs-Ahwa District. These sessions are intended to be deep-dive consultations, moving beyond generic briefings to address the unique fabric of each region's law and order landscape.
Agenda: From Infrastructure to Best Practices
The meetings will cover a wide spectrum of operational and welfare issues. Key discussion points will include:
- The requirement for special vehicles suited to local geographical conditions.
- Challenges related to residential and non-residential infrastructure for police personnel.
- Ensuring adequate availability of human resources.
- Potential changes needed in the structure of police stations, outposts, and beats.
Furthermore, a novel aspect of this initiative is the focus on identifying and scaling best practices. Each district will present a successful policing model it has implemented. The feasibility of replicating these effective strategies across the state will be thoroughly examined during these discussions.
Political Tensions in Surat: AAP Files Complaint Over Fake Banners
In a separate development highlighting the charged political atmosphere in the state, leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Surat have lodged a formal police complaint. The complaint, filed at the Godadara police station, demands strict action against those responsible for creating and displaying "fake banners" in the party's name.
The incident occurred ahead of AAP's 'Parivartan Jan Sabha' program scheduled in the Godadara area. Surat City AAP President, Dharmesh Bhanderi, alleged that individuals associated with the BJP printed AAP banners featuring fake photographs. He further claimed that these same individuals then staged a protest by defacing the very banners they had put up with black ink.
"A team of Aam Aadmi Party leaders reached Godadara police station at midnight to register a complaint in this matter," Bhanderi stated on Thursday, underscoring the seriousness with which the party views the incident.
A New Approach to Governance and Law & Order
The dual narratives emerging from Gujarat point towards a period of administrative action and political friction. While the state's new police chief embarks on a hands-on mission to decentralize understanding and empower district-specific strategies, the political arena remains volatile with allegations of sabotage and impersonation.
The success of Dr Rao's 'One Day, One District' model will be closely watched, as it promises a more nuanced, bottom-up approach to policing—a potential shift from a one-size-fits-all state policy to customized solutions that address the distinct challenges of districts ranging from the tribal-dominated Dangs to the urban sprawl of Surat.
