Himalaya Harbinger, Uttarakhand Bureau.
In a strongly worded crime review meeting held in Haldwani on Friday, Inspector General of Police (Kumaon Range) Ridhim Aggarwal directed her subordinates to ensure effective crime control in the region, warning that any lapse would invite immediate punitive action.
The meeting, chaired by IG Aggarwal, was attended by all senior superintendents of police, superintendents of police, gazetted officers and circle officers from across Kumaon. Issues including the disposal of unidentified bodies, pending vehicles, seized narcotics, missing women and children, the quality of investigations, and upcoming law and order challenges during festivals and student union elections were extensively discussed.
Addressing the officers, IG Aggarwal said, “No SHO or SO should consider himself a feudal lord. They are here to serve the people and the law. Any negligence in dealing with crimes will result in strict action against the concerned station in-charge within 24 hours.”
On the identification of unknown female bodies, she stressed the need to use DNA profiling, facial recognition, photo circulation, and the support of both local and social media. “No family should be left without closure. Every victim deserves justice,” she remarked.
She also reviewed the disposal of long-pending seized vehicles and directed that all such cases be resolved within a month with court permission. “Vehicles lying in police stations are not dead stock, they are a reflection of judicial credibility,” she observed. Similarly, she ordered that all seized NDPS materials pending since 2015 must be disposed of without delay, cautioning that prolonged storage poses both legal and security risks.
On the issue of missing women and children, Aggarwal ordered the implementation of the Case Officer Scheme, under which each case will be monitored by a dedicated officer at the police station level. “Every daughter must return home safely — that is the commitment of the police,” she said. Expressing dissatisfaction over pending investigations, she warned officers against excuses, saying, “We want results, not reasons.” She further directed circle officers to hold weekly meetings to monitor the quality of investigations.
Special emphasis was laid on ensuring peace during the upcoming student union elections, Nanda Ashtami, and Barawafat. The IG directed strict preventive measures against anti-social elements, warning, “Any person thinking of lifting a stick, pistol or any weapon during the elections should think ten times. If any firing or serious incident occurs due to police negligence, the concerned SHO will face suspension within 24 hours.” She also directed foolproof arrangements for the Nanda Devi fair, instructing officers to ensure crowd management, CCTV surveillance, parking, and electrical safety, while preventing any repeat of tragic stampedes witnessed elsewhere.
Aggarwal expressed displeasure that some officers were conducting only “paper compliance” instead of effective patrolling. She ordered intensive checks with bomb disposal squads, QRTs and dog squads in all sensitive areas. She further stressed strict action against fraudulent financial schemes such as chit funds, committees and kitty parties that exploit the public, directing district chiefs to prepare a list of such offenders within two months.
Highlighting police welfare, she also launched Mission Samvad, a special programme aimed at addressing the mental health and stress-related issues of police personnel through a dedicated application providing counselling and relief.
Concluding the meeting, Aggarwal reiterated that crime control remains the foremost priority of the Kumaon police. “People want a crime-free environment. Public trust will only remain intact if we act swiftly and firmly against criminals. At no level will negligence be tolerated,” she said.
