LUCKNOW: The new police chief of Uttar Pradesh, Sulkhan Singh, today vowed to crush "goondagardi" and warned that no one will be allowed to take law in their hands in the name of cow vigilantism or protection from eve-teasing.
"Those indulging in 'goondagardi' and criminal activities will be dealt with without mercy. They cannot escape and even VIPs will not be spared," the 1980-batch IPS officer who took over charge of DGP of the state today said.
"No one has the right to interfere in the name of gau raksha or eve-teasing at public places or any such basis...and if someone does vigilantism, police will take strict action...
we ask people to give us information if they come across such things. We will also ensure that we neither ask for their names nor make them public," he said.
"We will not allow anyone to indulge in forceful behaviour as it leads to hatred in society and it will not be allowed," Singh said in response to a question.
To a query on anti-Romeo squads, Singh said it was not a drive and would continue on a regular basis as policing.
"The policemen deployed in it will be briefed directly by the SPs...they will work undercover to monitor objectionable behaviour in public place...questioning and interrogation is not part of this...the staff will be clearly briefed about what action they have to take," he said.
Singh, the senior-most IPS officer in the state, said there will be no compromise in ensuring security of the common man.
He took over from Javeed Ahmed who was shunted to a less important post of DG PAC.
"Uniform action will be taken against any wrong doer.
There will be no bias, whosoever the culprit is or whatever political connection the person flaunts," he said.
Asked about some persons associated with the ruling party allegedly taking the law in their hands, he said, "The CM has clearly instructed that the police should work in an unbiased manner and act against all, be it from ruling party or anyone else, and I want to assure that all those indulging in goonda and criminal activities will be dealt with as per the law."
When asked about reported inputs from the MP Police about suspected terrorists attempting to strike in the state, Singh said though he had no insider inputs about the same as of now, but state intelligence agencies, including the STF and the ATS, were always active.
"They have their network and will work on the inputs...I want to assure that there will be no laxity on this front," he said.
Spelling out his priorities as the DGP, he said maximum FIRs would be filed and the police would get full freedom to work without fear or pressure from any quarter.
Singh, who has an image of being an upright officer, said, "My effort will be to ensure unbiased policing and keeping the morale of the force high."
To another question pertaining to allegations of rampant corruption in the police machinery, he said, "Fair inquiry will be held in all cases."
"My top priority would be to make policing humane and courteous," the DGP said.
Singh said policing should be impartial and objective to ensure relief to the common man.
"Police should avoid high-handedness as every citizen belongs to the state. No one is an outsider," he said.
Asked about the sagging morale of the police force in view of over 100 cases of assaults and killings of the men-inkhaki, Singh said it was a contentious issue. "But, definitely if there is any demoralisation in the force, I would address it on top priority," he said.
To a question on attacks on policemen in the recent past, he said policing is a risky job and the personnel overcome it with their training and tact and act against the outlaws.
As the DGP, he said his another priority was the safety and security of girls and women who should feel safe even at late hours.
In reply to a question, he said though he has come to know about IS sympathisers in the state through media, he would also look into this challenge on priority basis and asserted that the force he was heading was highly capable of dealing with any situation.
To a question, he said it was essential that the policemen get fixed working hours and a day's off in a week for optimum performance and health which is also followed the world over.