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Time of India
an hour ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengaluru Tragedy: Why India Keeps Suffering Stampedes
The writer served as DG of Uttarakhand police and is VC, Sports University of Haryana. The descent of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL celebration into tragedy last week, has once again underscored the perils of inadequate crowd management, a long-standing issue in a densely populated country like India. What should have been a moment of pride and festivity quickly descended into chaos, revealing critical gaps in planning, foresight, and execution. Managing large gatherings in India demands precision, coordination, and unwavering discipline. Traditionally, it is religious congregations like Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra that have drawn massive crowds. Read full story on TOI+ Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Haridwar prepares for Kanwar Mela; 5 crore pilgrims expected
SSP Haridwar Pramendra Dobal has issued directives to begin arrangements. HARIDWAR: The police and administration in Haridwar have begun preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Mela, northern India's largest religious gathering. During the Shravan month, devotees from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab journey to Haridwar to collect sacred Ganga water. SSP Haridwar Pramendra Dobal has issued directives to begin arrangements. The Kanwar Yatra will commence on July 13 and conclude on July 23 during Maha Shivaratri. Officials anticipate around 5 crore pilgrims visiting the holy city during the 12-day Kanwar Yatra this year. The authorities plan to establish additional parking facilities for Dak Kawar. The local administration has also ordered enhanced sanitation measures to address the challenge of preventing open defecation. SSP Dobal told TOI, "Crowd and traffic management is the biggest task for us, as the number of Dak Kawariyas has been increasing continuously for the past few years. I ordered the removal of encroachment from the Kanwar route, and a parking space will be increased too.' The SSP said that last year, more than four crore Kanwariyas visited Haridwar. Haridwar Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar told TOI, "We will install extra public toilets on the Kanwar Yatra route and the entire Kanwar Mela area. Extra sanitation workers will be deployed for the cleanliness drive,' adding that the locals as well as the pilgrims are being encouraged to keep the Ganga and riverbanks clean.
News18
24-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Will Uttar Pradesh Get Its First-Ever Woman Police Chief?
Last Updated: For the first time in the nearly 106-year history of the state police chief's post, a woman officer is among the contenders With acting DGP Prashant Kumar set to retire on May 31, the race to lead Uttar Pradesh Police—the country's largest police force—has once again gained momentum. But this time, the transition carries historic significance. For the first time in the nearly 106-year history of the state police chief's post, a woman officer is among the contenders. As Uttar Pradesh braces for a critical leadership change, one question resonates across political, bureaucratic, and public circles alike: will the state get its first-ever female director general of police? Kumar, a 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a trusted aide of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, took over as acting DGP on February 1, 2024. A native of Siwan, Bihar, Kumar became a recognisable name in 2017 when, as additional director general (ADG), Meerut Zone, he oversaw the Kanwar Yatra and arranged for a helicopter to shower flowers on devotees—an act that symbolised his alignment with the Yogi government's image politics. However, he has also faced consistent criticism from the opposition for his aggressive policing style. Kumar turns 60 this month and will retire unless the government decides to recommend a service extension—a rare occurrence for someone in an acting DGP role. So far, the home department has not made any formal move towards this. Historically, service extensions in UP police leadership have been rare. In the last 10-12 years, only two officers—Arvind Kumar Jain under the Akhilesh Yadav government and Sulkhan Singh under Yogi Adityanath—have received three-month extensions. As Sulkhan Singh said, the government must clearly state why an extension is warranted. Rules allow a three-month extension for DGPs and superintendents of police (SPs), while chief secretaries can receive up to six months. Another strong contender is Rajiv Krishna, a 1991-batch officer currently heading the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board and Vigilance. Known for his disciplined, corruption-free image, Krishna earned praise for overseeing a transparent police recruitment drive. With four years left before retirement, he is one of the few eligible for a full-term tenure. BK Maurya, from the 1990 batch and presently DG Home Guards, has held critical field positions in Faizabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, and Aligarh. Regarded as calm and politically neutral, Maurya is considered an organisationally steady hand. Also in the fray is MK Bashal, a 1990 batch officer with deep field experience. Currently DG in Power Corporation's security wing, his appointment would underscore social inclusivity. Appointment process Traditionally, Uttar Pradesh appointed its DGP by sending a list of senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which would return a panel of three names. The final selection, influenced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the ministry of home affairs, was then made by the state government. A new procedure, approved by the state cabinet six months ago but not yet implemented, proposes a six-member committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Other members include the chief secretary, a UPSC nominee, the UPPSC chairperson or nominee, the additional chief secretary (home), and a former DGP. The committee would recommend candidates with a minimum of six months' service left and a clean record, appointing them for a fixed two-year term, subject to performance. Since Mukul Goel's removal in May 2022, UP has had no permanent DGP—a violation of Supreme Court guidelines that has drawn judicial censure. Brief history of UP DGP post The post of director general of police in Uttar Pradesh has evolved into one of the most politically sensitive positions in the state bureaucracy. Since independence, DGP tenures have often been cut short, with few officers serving the full two-year term mandated by the Supreme Court in its 2006 Prakash Singh judgement, aimed at reducing political interference in police appointments. Despite these reforms, UP has struggled with consistent implementation. Notable exceptions like Sulkhan Singh and OP Singh came close to completing their terms, but since 2022, the state has lacked a permanent DGP altogether. As May 31 approaches, the decision on Prashant Kumar's extension—or the appointment of a new chief, possibly the state's first woman DGP—will mark a defining moment for both the future of UP Police and the credibility of its administrative processes. tags : police supreme court uttar pradesh Yogi Adityanath Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: May 24, 2025, 16:03 IST News india Will Uttar Pradesh Get Its First-Ever Woman Police Chief?
NDTV
14-05-2025
- NDTV
"Gave Food To Homeless": Delhi Cop Gets Tearful Farewell After Transfer
New Delhi: A Delhi policeman, who recently got transferred, received a grand and an emotional farewell from local residents, who poured out onto the streets to felicitate their "family member". Ram Manohar Mishra, Station House Officer of Sabzi Mandi Police Station in North Delhi recently received a fresh posting. As news of his transfer spread, local residents gathered on the streets and felicitated him with garlands and gifts. Several people also took to social media and praised the cop who, they said, made a deep and lasting impact on the area. The doors of the police station were opened for everyone under Mr Mishra, locals said. Children would visit the station to celebrate their birthdays with the cop. There were occasions when Mr Mishra personally visited an elderly person or a child's house with a cake once he learnt about their birthdays. Residents also recalled how the SHO helped a 10-year-old boy, who went crying to him to complain about his bicycle being stolen. The cop called the boy to the station and gifted him with a new bicycle with his own money. The child and parents were touched by this gesture, locals said. Last year, Mr Mishra set up a food centre near the police station to feed the homeless. He got the idea after he found a homeless man eating bread strewn over streets for the cows. The SHO never arrested youngsters involved in petty crimes. Instead, he counselled them and gave them an opportunity to reform. These youngsters eventually started working with the cops in protecting the area, locals said. Mr Mishra's unique style of policing and direct communication with the public helped curb crimes to a very large extent in the locality, residents said. Mr Mishra is not just a capable officer but also a great singer. Often he has used music as a medium to reach out to the citizens, according to locals. Be it the Kanwar Yatra, Chhath Puja or Ganesh Chaturthi, he has performed and sang bhajans on nearly all occasions.
