In a sharp critique of his own state's police force, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma publicly reprimanded top officers on Thursday for a significant intelligence failure. The CM expressed dismay that law enforcement agencies from Gujarat and Maharashtra had entered Rajasthan and conducted operations against drug networks without the local police having prior information.
CM Questions Intelligence Collapse in Police Conference
Addressing a state-level police conference in Jaipur, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma pointed to recent actions taken by external agencies in districts like Jodhpur and Barmer. "Our district police should have had information, but they didn't. We need to find out why," Sharma stated, demanding accountability for the lapse. He was referring to operations carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) of Mumbai and Gujarat within Rajasthan's borders.
Political Reactions and Administrative Critique
Seizing the opportunity, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot labeled the admission a "great irony." He argued that the CM himself confirming that police from other states were operating in Rajasthan unbeknownst to local authorities was direct evidence of a collapsed intelligence system. "This shows that the government's administrative grip has reduced to zero," Gehlot remarked, noting the situation was peculiar despite BJP governments being in power in both Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Blueprint for Reform and Modernisation
Amid the criticism, CM Sharma, speaking at the 'Police System in Developed India' conference at the Rajasthan Police Academy, outlined a comprehensive plan to overhaul enforcement. He reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening mechanisms to tackle the drug menace and other crimes.
Sharma highlighted specific concerns, including crimes against women in Pali and Karauli, and cases related to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Chittorgarh and Beawar. To ensure monitoring, he directed the DCP and additional chief secretary (home) to submit monthly performance reports and ordered the formation of a committee for regular evaluation of officers.
In a major announcement for infrastructure upgrade, Sharma said the state government would constitute a Rs 200 crore fund for modernising the police department. Furthermore, he revealed plans to establish a Rajasthan Police Technical Training Academy and a Sardar Patel Centre for Cyber Crimes at a combined cost of Rs 350 crore.
Emphasising skill development, the CM asked senior police officers to dedicate 100 hours every year to training junior officers. During the programme, he also launched the e-Visitors and e-Zero FIR portals and released the Rajasthan Police Priority-2026 booklet, charting the force's roadmap for the coming years.
