Cops told to complete major crime probes in 90 days | Varanasi News

Varanasi: Police commissioner Mohit Agrawal has directed officials to prepare detailed security, crowd management and traffic plans for upcoming festivals and events, including Dala Chhath, Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Dev Deepawali, Ganga Mahotsav, laser shows and fireworks.Regarding investigations, the commissioner ordered that cases carrying a punishment of more than 10 years’ imprisonment be completed within 90 days, while others within 60 days. Pending and time-barred investigations must be disposed of through a special campaign, he added. DCPs were instructed to conduct regular circle-wise reviews and monitor progress.Chairing a Sainik Sammelan and monthly crime review meeting on Thursday, Agrawal ordered the installation of floating barriers in the Ganga, continuous surveillance through drones and CCTV cameras, and deployment of adequate numbers of divers and boatmen.He said the performance of station house officers (SHOs) would be assessed mainly on public grievance redressal, crime control, quality disposal of investigations and law-and-order management. Only officers ensuring prompt, effective and satisfactory resolution of public complaints would continue as SHOs.Taking note of Baragaon police station’s poor performance in the IGRS ranking, where it figured among the bottom 10 police stations in the state, Inspector-in-charge Praveen Kumar Singh was transferred to Police Lines with immediate effect. Sindaura SHO Pankaj Kumar Pandey was transferred to Baragaon, while SI Ravikant Malik of Cantt police station was posted as SHO of Sindaura.The commissioner directed officials to dispose of complaints received through IGRS and other channels within the prescribed time in a fair, factual, detailed and satisfactory manner. He said complaints must not be kept pending unnecessarily or disposed of as a formality. Regular public hearings would be held at all police stations, and complainants must be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect. Feedback would also be obtained personally after complaints were disposed of.Police officials were instructed to hold meetings with boatmen and ensure the availability and mandatory use of life jackets by passengers. Anti-Romeo teams would be deployed at ghats and nearby areas, with special focus on the safety of women and girls. Encroachments would not be allowed near event venues and major routes, while diversion, parking and emergency movement plans would be put in place.During the Sainik Sammelan, Agrawal directed that pending issues of police personnel be resolved in a time-bound and proper manner. New grievances raised during the meeting must be heard seriously and resolved on priority.Matters related to basic facilities, housing, NPS and staff welfare were also reviewed. All DCPs and station in-charges were asked to hold regular Sainik Sammelans at their respective levels.In view of the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Agrawal ordered immediate preventive action against criminal and anti-social elements. He directed 100% execution of non-bailable warrants, regular monitoring of history-sheeters, verification of their current activities and timely verification of licensed weapons.Strict action was ordered under the Goonda Act, Gangster Act, Excise Act and Gambling Act. Special drives would be conducted against those involved in gambling at public places. Officials were also directed to comply with the SOP for preparing and presenting criminal histories before courts and independently verify records before submission.Agrawal reiterated zero tolerance for crimes against women and children. He ordered prompt and quality investigations in cases related to the POCSO Act, rape, molestation, dowry harassment, kidnapping, dowry death and immoral trafficking. Complaints from women victims must be handled sensitively and on priority. Special attention must be given to preventing chain snatching and harassment of women. Efforts to trace missing persons, especially children, would be intensified through coordinated teams.The commissioner also directed that all police station premises be fully covered with CCTV cameras, including entry and exit gates, offices, lock-ups, malkhana and other key areas. Regular functioning of cameras and availability of recordings must be ensured to maintain transparency.For the convenience and safety of devotees and tourists, mandatory verification of e-rickshaw, auto, bus and other public transport drivers was ordered. Hotels, restaurants and food establishments must prominently display rate lists to prevent inconvenience or exploitation of visitors.Coordination with other departments would be ensured at religious places, ghats and event venues.On traffic management, Agrawal directed effective arrangements on major roads, crossings and crowded areas. Action would be taken against illegal encroachments, unauthorised parking and vehicles obstructing traffic. Under the RTC plan, traffic improvement measures would be implemented on identified routes and at junctions. Under the Zero Fatality District campaign, strict enforcement of traffic rules and special monitoring of accident-prone spots would be ensured.Additional police commissioner (Law and Order and Headquarters) Shivhari Meena, along with all gazetted police officers, station in-charges and police personnel, attended the meeting.