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He radiates sheer confidence as he thunders ‘elections will be free , fair and peaceful’ with a steel in his voice . Reassuring enough for people who harbour trepidation over possible militant disruption of the upcoming assembly polls. Even in the twilight years of his long career as professional policeman Director General of Police (DGP) Kumar Trishuldhari Singh remains as vibrant and earnest as he was when he joined service as a young IPS officer. A man from Bihar by birth K.T.D. Singh has made his second home , having had the longest tenure as an IPS officer in the state. The upcoming assembly polls poses a challenge to him and the police force but all through his career Singh has faced and mastered challenges head on . The DGP took time off his hectic daily schedule to speak his mind to tripurainfo.com in this interview:
Question: The assembly election is scheduled to come off within three months. What is the level of preparation of state police?
Answer: Militants are likely to increase their level of violence in the run – up to the election. They have done so in the past. However, successive elections are testimony to the resolve of Tripura Police to ensure an atmosphere in which elections are held peacefully. This time too, we are committed to ensure that men and women of the state exercise their franchise freely and fearlessly.
Since this is the most important task before us now, let us say something more on this. We are aware of the designs of the militants. You have also covered such news indicating heightened activities of militants in context of the coming elections. We have taken note of such coverage by the press and have gone deep into it. Some attempts indeed have been made by militants, especially NLFT to recruit innocent villagers with the allurement of making them surrender after elections and then ensuring attractive rehabilitation package including job. Some reports indicate that NLFT is raising a network of BNCT by inducting villagers through such allurements. But our level of alertness is very high and I am quite confident that the elections this time will be free and fair as we will forestall any attempt at disruption.
Question: In Tripura run-ups to almost all major elections since 1983 have been marred by militant attacks and violence? What will happen this time?
Answer: As you are aware, our most important task is to control militancy in the state as it affects every walk of life and has in the past played havoc with countless innocent people in terms of their life- their development- future of their children, especially in the interior. This has become all the more critical as elections are approaching. Militancy also distorts the public perception, of the people staying in other parts of the country. Many consider Tripura to be an extremely dangerous place; hence its investment environment suffers.
We are happy to note that armed terrorism in Tripura is under control. This perception is no longer confined among the informed circles in Tripura; this is being increasingly talked about by people on the street and senior functionaries in concerned ministries of Government of India. You would be happy to note that this year, in annual DGP conference ( New Delhi, Oct 3-5, 2007) efforts and successes of Tripura Police in handling militancy were lauded.
We take this opportunity to assure every citizen of Tripura through you, that we are committed to create an atmosphere in which they can exercise their franchise freely. Militants have not been allowed to interfere in elections held at different levels in past few years. Whatever may be their preparation this time, we are confident that every policeman and every police woman would rise to the occasion to meet such challenges with the help of the citizens of the state and the elections will be free , fair and smooth.
Question: And what is the broad strategy you are going to follow to create an atmosphere in which voters can exercise their franchise freely?
Answer: Broad strategy we are going to follow? We have more than 450 camps in the State, mostly in the interior. We are going to establish large number of camps before elections to dominate the ground. Sustained operations by Security forces have pushed the militants to the ridges. You must have noticed that the militant violence has been at a low key this year so far. We are now opening camps on inhospitable ridges to flush them out.
You will see a tremendous increase in the operations by forces in the current month. Barring a handful of militant leaders, who are still in comfortable environs in Bangladesh, frustration runs high among them. You must have noted the frequency with which surrenders take place these days. In coming two months, by opening large number of camps, covering ridges and by massive operations, we are determined to make life difficult for them. But you are certainly well aware that there is a political dimension to the problem on which I would not make any comment.
Question: There is a report that the two banned outfits, ATTF and NLFT have joined hands for concerted attacks on security forces as well as civilians. What is your reaction to this and how you propose to cope with the challenge?
Answer: We did receive such reports early this year but upon verification we got the feedback that an informal understanding had been reached by the outfits that they would not attack or
not harm each other . Now I can say on the basis of intelligence inputs that the two outfits have not joined hands and there is no indication till now that they will. But it is quite possible that in view of the coming elections they make a fresh attempt at a rapprochement . But unless it actually happens we can not say anything with certainty.
Question: What in your opinion are the features that distinguish Tripura from other states? What is your general impression of Tripura and its people?
Answer: My response to your first query will be from the standpoint of a police official and to that extent I can say that unlike insurgency-ridden states of Assam, Manipur and , to a limited extent , Nagaland urban insurgency is not possible here in Tripura . The very demographic profile rules that out . In my view insurgency in Tripura is basically an ethno-centric problem which can be addressed through equitable development and the state government has been trying really hard to bring that about. As for the second part of your query I can say Tripura is a beautiful state showered with nature’s bounties . The human resource of the state is its greatest asset as people are warm-hearted , simple and peace-loving. Apart from that , What I find most pleasant in Tripura is that the level of corruption here is much less than most other states .
Question: Do you think that the Police reforms currently being implemented in the state are going to have a bearing on police activities in Tripura? If so, how?
Answer: The process of implementation is on . We already have a five member police board with myself as member-secretry and hounourable chief minister as chairman. Besides, a separate five member accountability commission has also been constituted with retired high court judge of Calcutta Mr D.P.Kundu as chairman . There is also a police establishment committee headed by myself as DGP . All three have come up as part of the implementation process.
Question: Have you made any assessment of your police administration and its infrastructure? How good, in your assessment, is the infrastructure including latest communication equipments, arms and ammunition and other technological facilities for maintaining general law and order, crime and militancy activities etc. in Tripura?
Answer: I am happy to share that, thanks to the funds for modernization and other assistance offered by Government of India and tanks to the encouragement received from the State Government, we are in full strength and we have no dearth of resources – be it sophisticated weapons, vehicles, fuel, modern equipments for security. We are in the process of adding one more Battalion to TSR – a force which is aptly considered one of the best in the country. So the infrastructure we have is good enough though we are trying to develop it further by inducting sophisticated technology and electronics gadgets.
Question: Perhaps you know that crime against women is reported in the media vary frequently in the State and this problem has being increasing day by day. What is your comment about Crime against women?
Answer: Yes, crime against women is reported frequently in the State. We remain committed to make best efforts to contain this problem which is largely social as almost 50% of the crime is dowry related. Apart from police persons taking active part in anti- dowry awareness program, strict instructions have been issued to register criminal cases and take full measures so that a sense of deterrence is instilled among the perpetrators.
We feel that the best indicator of any civilized society is the respect enjoyed by the women. Women empowerment is the new mantra of good governance. Today, women police is not only doing a commendable job, wherever they are posted, they are also a symbol of the increasing recognition of gender equality. A young traffic woman Police personnel or a young woman constable working in Police Station are not simply doing their job, they are sending strong messages to every young girl that they are equal stakeholders in a progressive society. That they have every right and opportunity to raise voices against social evils like dowry, harassment on road or discontinuation of education. Through you, we wish that such constructive image of women police is projected. In this year, we are resolved to pay more attention to crime against women. Let every woman who has been harassed develop the confidence in us to report the matter. Registration of crime may rise, but we are committed to tackle the root of the problem.
Question: Do you think that development alone is the long term solution to militancy? If so, what steps you have taken to Security for development works?
Answer: Definitely, development is the long term solution to militancy. For past few years, we have been following the motto of ensuring security for all development works. In the last one year, Police has provided adequate security to different development agencies – Railways, ONGC, GAIL, Power, PWD, Telecom, Banking, NBCC, NPCC etc. Thanks to the tireless efforts by CRPF, NH- 44 has been kept open 365 days a year. This year too, we continue to do so as it is our firm belief that development alone is the long term solution to militancy.
Question: Road Traffic accident has been increasing day by day. What type of special measure you have chosen to tackling the traffic problem in the state?
Answer: Traffic is another area which has drawn attention. Number of traffic police personnel has been increased. We have analyzed that it is the speed which is the culprit behind many of the accidents. Under modernization, we are introducing speed radars so that culture of safe driving is encouraged. Other equipments of traffic police are also being modernized. Transport department has introduced smart card based system which is likely to streamline the licensing process. We are in constant dialogue with different transport Unions and we welcome all constructive suggestions from members of press and public alike for improving the situation.
Question: What is your appeal to the misguided youth of the state?
Answer: As a concluding remark, we reiterate our pledge to provide tireless service to people of the State. Through you, we appeal to such misguided youths who are still in the fold of militancy to stop denying basic rights of food, education and love to themselves by leading a difficult life in jungle. We appeal to them to join the national mainstream like many of their brethren. We pledge to ensure that no development activity in the state suffers for want of security.
We pledge to be of assistance to every man / woman in the State who shows the confidence of seeking our help. We also pledge to ensure that increasingly the State has an image of a place, not ravaged or torn by terrorism, but where the peace and co-existence reign supreme.
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