Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
In a strong message against the rising tide of crime in Uttarakhand, Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar, while addressing a press conference at a hotel in Udham Singh Nagar’s district headquarters, Rudrapur, vowed to make the state a fortress against criminal activities. Responding to a spate of recent encounters, Kumar said his commitment to ensuring that the state does not become a soft target for criminals.
“We will not let Uttarakhand be a haven for criminal elements. They have two choices: either go to hell or go to the hospital,” DGP Abhinav Kumar stated firmly. The officer, known for his no-nonsense approach, has already set the tone for a tough stance, as demonstrated by three high-profile police encounters in the past week.
Three Encounters in a Week
Friday, Haridwar (Sidcul)
On Friday morning, the state police successfully neutralized two notorious criminals in Haridwar’s Sidcul area. Ayush and Kapil, both involved in various criminal activities, were shot during an exchange of gunfire with the police. The incident unfolded after a scuffle escalated at a local factory, where the suspects reportedly opened fire on the police. In response, law enforcement officers shot both men in the legs, bringing the situation under control. They were later admitted to the district hospital for medical care.
Thursday, Udham Singh Nagar (Kunda)
Just a day earlier, in another dramatic encounter, police arrested Sajid, alias Kala, a notorious criminal wanted in multiple cases of robbery and dacoity. Sajid had been evading arrest after fleeing from an earlier confrontation in Jaspur. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted him near Missarwala and Bentwala. During the encounter, Sajid, armed with a 315-bore pistol, attempted to escape but was shot in the leg.
“Sajid is a hardened criminal with 15 cases against him. We recovered a weapon and a motorcycle from the scene,” said SSP Manikant Mishra, praising his team’s quick action. Sajid was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, while his accomplice, Dilshad, who had been captured earlier in the week, is also undergoing treatment for a similar leg injury sustained in another encounter.
Tuesday, Udham Singh Nagar (Jaspur)
Earlier in the week, another encounter took place in the Cotton Mill area of Jaspur. Two bike-riding suspects, one of whom was identified as 30-year-old Dilshad Mohammad, opened fire on police during a routine vehicle check. In the chase that ensued, Dilshad was shot in the leg while his accomplice managed to escape. A manhunt for the second suspect is currently underway.
Speaking at the press conference, DGP Kumar, a 1996-batch officer and the youngest person to assume the role of DGP in November 2023 in any state in India, emphasized his commitment to making Uttarakhand police one of the most efficient forces in the country. Drawing on his experience of working in Kashmir and with paramilitary forces, he said, “My priority is to strengthen the police force’s operational efficiency and make sure criminals know that they have no place in this state.”
He further acknowledged the rising concerns over road accidents, stating that traffic rules would be strictly enforced across the state. “We are witnessing an alarming rise in road accidents, many of which result in fatalities. CCTV cameras will be installed at black spots, and violators will be issued e-challans,” the DGP announced.
Kumar also touched upon the need for expanding the police infrastructure, noting the state’s growing population of over 1.25 crore. “We aim to establish more police stations in areas that require better law enforcement coverage,” he said. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for increasing the police budget from ₹50 crore to ₹200 crore. “The CM understands the needs of our force, being the son of an army personnel,” Kumar added.
With the current police force standing at 24,000 officers, DGP Kumar has ambitious plans to increase this number to 40,000 over the next four years. “A larger and well-equipped force is essential for combating crime effectively,” he said.
Residential Facilities for Border District Officers
In a move aimed at improving the welfare of police personnel, Kumar also announced the construction of residential facilities for officers and their families stationed in border districts. Drawing a comparison with the military, he said, “Just like our armed forces, police officers serving in border areas deserve to have their families live in progressive districts where they can access good educational and healthcare facilities for their children.”
Public Response to Police Action
Public reaction to the police’s tough stance on criminals has been largely positive, with many hailing the encounters as necessary for ensuring safety in the state. “The police’s swift action sends a clear message that criminals will not be tolerated. However, it’s important that no innocent person is ever harmed in these operations,” said local businessman Manish Kumar Arya.
Echoing similar sentiments, another resident, Nitin Shama said, “It’s good to see the police cracking down on crime, but I hope these encounters are always conducted with care, ensuring that justice is served fairly.”
