21 August,2011 07:20 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
Un hailed senior cop applies 'one policeman for every criminal' model from Bandra to Andheri after it yields results in villages around Pune
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Pratap Dhigavkar is known for his workable solutions. The former Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural Police district, who was hailed by the United Nations last August for implementing a rural policing model in Pune district that led to a dip in crime rate, has implemented the same model from Bandra to Andheri.
Pratap Dhigavkar (centre) with his staff at Bandra police Station.
Pic/ Sayed Sameer Abedi
In the Mahatma Gandhi Dispute-free Village Mission, one policeman was posted in every village to settle disputes among villagers. Between October 2009 and April 2010, 37,294 disputes were successfully resolved in 790 villages.
Dighavkar introduced a 'one policeman for every criminal' initiative after taking over as DCP Zone 9 two months ago. Already, there has been a visible dip in offences in the area. From the 386 cases registered in police stations in the area in May, only 247 offences were registered in July.
"Over 1,700 policemen in the zone have been assigned, while officers of the rank of sub inspector are responsible for underworld criminals. In this arrangement, the offenders will be called to the police station every 15 days. If the person is absconding, the police will approach the court to ensure action is taken," he said.
Through this initiative, minor offenders will be profiled and will be provided counselling to prevent them from turning into hardened criminals, he added. Dighavkar explained that failure to adhere to the new system would attract stringent action. Two policemen have been found guilty of negligence, he said.
"We have files on 485 offenders, accused in crimes like robbery, dacoity, cheating, house breaking, chain snatching, and underworld criminals booked under the MCOCA. Regular visit and constant surveillance will help curtail crimes," said Dighavkar.
The files contain details that include their source of livelihood, family background, relatives' and neighbours' address and photographs of those who know the accused.u00a0Expressing happiness over the system, Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patanik said, "This is an effective model of delegation, decentralisation and accountability that yields results. I have instructed all officials to keep a list of all anti-social elements and criminals in their zones. The maximum impact of the method is clearly visible in Zone 9."
In August 2010, Dighavkar was invited to discuss the rural model at a two-day international conference in New York.u00a0Deputy Director Political Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs (United Nations) Kishore Mandhyan suggested that the model be implemented in other countries as well.
In a November 2010 letter addressed to member nations, Mandhyan stated: "The Mahatma Gandhi Dispute-free Village Mission is of utmost relevance not only to other parts of India but also similar domains with appropriate cultural infrastructures elsewhere in the world. It was inspiring to understand how innovations, commitment and humane intelligence has the potential to transform traditional legal forms into effective elements in the architecture of rule of law."
