DIBRUGARH, Nov 25 � Amid the ongoing buzz about the modernization and overhaul of the Assam Police in the State, it is shocking that the Government Railway Police (GRP) outpost here is running from a ramshackle house, which also doubles up as a dormitory for five policemen.
Anybody who approaches the in-charge of the GRP outpost will have to make his way through the dormitory cots. Two tables, a few chairs and two lockers have been kept at one end of the dilapidated house for official purpose. The weak doors and windows with newspapers pasted on them speak volumes about the condition of the house. Other basic necessities like toilets, drinking water, fan, health and hygiene are far from satisfactory.
The GRP outpost is located at the extreme corner of the Dibrugarh Town Railway Station near Amollapatty. The policemen deployed in the GRP outpost cannot complain about the living and working conditions. They have been compelled to carry out their duties from a position of disadvantage.
These uniformed men are supposed to maintain order at railway stations and in trains within their jurisdiction. However, their working environment is inferior to any police station elsewhere.
The GRP outpost has one motorcycle, which is over 15 years old. Its jurisdiction extends up to Chabua, some 25 km from here, which means the GRP personnel have to use personal vehicles at their own expenses to reach the far end of their outpost to perform their duties.
They are also supposed to recover bodies from trains or railway tracks. The Railway authorities dole out Rs 1,000 to the GRP for the removal of a body, but the policemen claim that the expenses are higher, especially in case of unclaimed dead bodies as they have to hire ambulances and pay men to dispose off the bodies. Each policeman reportedly has to contribute from his own salary to cover such costs.
Under such circumstances, the personnel at the GRP outpost will find it tough to render quality service to the public. The dignity of the police has been actually demeaned by those at the helm of affairs, a policeman on condition of anonymity said. The GRP outpost here has four constables, two corporals and three home guards, besides the in-charge. It is said that no senior police officer of the State has ever paid a visit to the outpost.
