Wednesday, Apr 30, 2003
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Tamil Nadu
By K.T. Sangameswaran
Authorities point out that posting of zonal Inspectors-General has paid dividends in the form of "an improved law and order situation" and that incidents such as the one reported at Vellore are only "stray cases". They explain that in major or sensational cases, the IGs visit the spot and guide investigation. A cross-section of officers says that the system of posting zonal IGs, as is in vogue in a few other States, should be welcomed. The IGs, well-experienced, can do more in crime prevention in districts, and the public confidence in the police, which is slowly eroding, can be reinstilled. Contrary to experience in the past when "law and order" was handled by a single Chennai-based IG, at present there are four of them for the north, south, central and western zones, headquartered in Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi and Coimbatore. The posting of an IG for each zone, consisting of a few districts, is to ensure better administration, supervision and coordination among senior level officers at the district and range levels, following the formation of new police districts and ranges. Another advantage seems to be that creation of such posts provides promotional opportunities. Besides intra-zonal transfer of inspectors, a zonal IG can better coordinate manpower within the zone and serve as a bridge between the range DIGs and the police headquarters. But the IG is not empowered to augment police strength in a district, which can be decided only by the Government. The IG can dispose of grievance petitions of personnel, though instances of applications being sent back to zonal IGs from the police headquarters for consideration are not wanting. It is in this context that the police headquarters has written to all zonal chiefs asking them to deal with petitions, which they can handle. "As regards crime prevention and detection, the objective of posting an IG may not have been achieved", says a DIG. More powers can be delegated to IGs for reorganising logistics and manpower depending on situations. Amid the criticism that the State police are already "top heavy", the posting of more officers at the district level will only come in for adverse notice, if they do not deliver. An IG may be considered one more officer breathing down the neck of his subordinates. Senior officers also caution about a possible clash of egos and strategies in tackling a situation, what with so many officers having to work together. Where there is also a Commissioner, also in the rank of IG, personality as well as seniority issues can affect early resolution. "The performance of zonal IGs depends on individual officers' calibre and how he leads his zone", points out an Additional Director-General. After all, it is the Superintendent of Police, and not either a DIG or IG, who is ultimately responsible for a district.
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