In a bid to prevent weapon snatching, the police has banned use of smartphones by its sentries during duty time, an order issued by Additional Director General of Police Armed J&K, Srinagar, AK Choudhary said, a copy of which lies the sentries have also been asked to wear BP jackets and chain their weapons with belts.
"It has been observed that recent weapon snatching incidents have occurred due to the reason that sentries on duty remain engaged with their smartphones for most of the time thereby compromising with their legitimate duty. This tendency has considerably increased and resulted in weapon snatching/killing of police cops in the state, particularly in the Valley," the order said. The order further said that the tendency not only lowered the image of police organization but also compromises with personal security of the individual.
This speaks volumes about lack of supervision and sensitization of lower subordinates with inputs and overall security situation in and around a particular area. "No sentry shall carry with him any smartphone during duty hours under any circumstances. All sentries, particularly on guard duty, shall wear BP gear and chain their weapons with their belts properly. All the guards shall introduce improvised alarm system. All the guard personnel shall remain available round the clock in their respective guard rooms in a state of alertness and in proper uniform during day-time," the order said. The order further reads that unit duty officers shall take hourly situation report from all company commanders. All guard personnel shall ensure compliance of the standing drill in letter and spirit. They shall have liaise with nearest district police installations/security force's (SFs) pickets.
"All the commandants of JKAP/IR Battalions and supervisory officers concerned are enjoined upon to ensure implementation of the directions in letter and spirit. They shall ensure that all the officers/officials of their respective units are briefed adequately in this regard for better results on the ground. In case of any delinquency, the concerned commandants and other supervisory officers shall also be held responsible," the order added.