In a bid to work towards a fitter police force, the Chhota Udepur district SP sent out an email to all police stations earlier last month. The invite was for a PT parade organized at Khutalia police headquarters. The mail, however, also mentioned the compulsion to bring along five shovels and five spades.
The requirement was necessitated by the poor ground conditions, made pitiable due to the recent rains. The mail also noted that the parade would ensue once the grounds were restored.
The message which went viral on social media was flooded with comments, some hinting at the event “being organized only to improve the parade ground.” Attendance was made mandatory for all police personnel. Even the LCB and Special Operations Group were ordered to be compulsorily present. As if to reinforce the importance of the event, each police station was also instructed to send a list of names of policemen present at the parade. Disciplinary action was to be taken against those who skipped the meet.
The message was signed by In-Charge, Reserve Police Inspector R T Rathwa.
Tight-lipped sources in the police shared how officers were made to work on the slushy grounds. “We do not know if the parade was a mere pretence to get this work done. Why could the PWD not be hired for the same?” questioned some peeved officers.
Despite the whiff of discontent, the senior officers were asked to supervise as the police officers put to good use the shovels and spade they brought along.
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