Bihar re-enacts ‘Inspector General’ of Danny Kaye, and the title is Head police station

PATNA - In Naxal hit areas of Bihar the police are re-enacting the five decade old film ‘Inspector General” starring Danny Kaye, except that in this instance, a villager becomes head of the police station for a day, and the opportunity is given to different villagers on many days.

The opportunity is offered in different villages of Jamuai district of Bihar.

The villagers, particularly the youth, are given the chance to head the police station. They have to submit their application, and the chances are that they will get the opportunity to head the police station, sooner than later.

The application needs not be accompanied by any degree or certificate.

The experiment is gaining popularity, and people are applying to become the station head for a day. The police dictionary described this post as “Station’s Chairperson.”

The Bihar Police feel that by providing such opportunities, people can understand the problems of the police. They will also understand the pressure and responsibilities of the policing.

Jamuai District Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Rathi, feels that doubts about the police forces, can melt by this experiment.

Jamuai, which share border with Jharkhand, is one of the Naxal affected districts .

Police here face a dual challenges-to counter Naxal activities and to maintain law and order.

Villagers now feel that the experiment helps them to understand the tasks of the police

Aravind, a villager of Sikandara in the District, feels that after the experiment villagers feel more secure and boost police-public relation.

Prem Kumar Paswan, who once became the Station’s chairperson, says the experiment has brought the police and public closer to each other. The police can succeed in their work only when they get proper co-operation from public, he says.

The experiment has one handicap. Police Superintendent Rathi points out that police rules do not permit a general public to take over the duties of the Station House Officer (SHO).

He thus has not given powers to the ‘Head’ to pass orders. The Station Chairperson can register complaints and can take rounds of the station limits.

State police felt that the experiment is creating a lot of interest among the public and they would like to continue it for some more days.

According to police, more than 40 young persons have already applied for station Chairperson in Jamuai district alone.

Many youths felt that the State Government should make this post a permanent one.

Like Danny Kaye, who said the Inspector General ‘generally inspects’ the Jamuai villager chairpersons generally ‘occupy the chair’ and record complaints.

Three cheers to the chairpersons of Jamuai. (ANI)