UP Police: NOIDA: ये बेचारी काम की मारी नोयडा पुलिस, लाखों की जनता के लिए बस 18 सौ पुलिसवाले..

NOIDA: Two battalions of the Special Range Security have been recently sanctioned to exclusively guard the sprawling Ambedkar Park, but Noida Police, by its own admission, is grossly understaffed. According to the figures provided by the Noida police department - which manages a population of 6.24 lakh - barely 1,800 police personnel, including those posted with the traffic department, maintain the law and order in this satellite township. While an ideal policing situation in a civilized urban area is one policeman for every 100 citizens, in Noida, the ratio is 1 cop for every 667 people in the city - and it is worse when the whole of Gautam Budh Nagar district is considered.

To further add to their woes, the police force not only has to tackle criminals but also has added responsibilities like providing VIP security. "Our primary job is to maintain law and order and curb crime. However, there are many other divergent responsibilities, too, that we have to look after," said Anant Dev, superintendent of police. "At least two VIPs visit Noida every month, resulting in only 50% or less personnel maintaining law and order duties. Moreover, a major chunk of our force also remains deployed in the areas that have been witnessing farmers' agitation like the recent one," he said. According to officials, a proposal for around 4,000 additional cops was made around three years ago, but no addition has been made as yet. Noida needs more than 5,000 policemen, but only about 700 sub-inspectors and constables are available. The police, finding themselves more than overworked and having little manoeuvering space, are resorting to several innovative steps. The SP explained: "There are more than 11,000 private security guards deployed across the city to guard various institutions and homes. We are motivating them to be our eyes and ears after duly verifying the antecedents of every incident." Furthermore, on their enterprising menu is making better use of technology and working closely with the residents to curb crime. In addition, the integrated control room is being upgraded and GPS system installed in the city's 42 PCR vans last year is being restored.