Puri: At a time when Director General of Police (DGP) BK Sharma has asked security officials to beef up vigil ahead of the Dussehra festival, many police stations in Puri district are reeling from severe shortage of staff.
Data from Odisha police website has confirmed that several posts of sub-inspectors (SIs), assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), havildars, constables and home guards are lying vacant at many police stations in the coastal district including Singhadwar police station in the Holy City.
As per the data, the posts of 18 sub-inspectors, 12 assistant sub-inspectors, five havildars, 21 constables and 45 home guards are lying vacant at Singhadwar police station, which has been recognised as the biggest police station in Asia.
Similarly, the Town police station in the Pilgrim City is functioning with many vacant posts. The state government is yet to fill up the posts of five sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, five constables and 27 home guards at the Town police station.
Similarly, Talabania police station in Puri city has vacant posts of one sub-inspector, one assistant sub-inspector, three constables and 25 home guards, said data from the Odisha police website.
Moreover, Kumbharapada, Baseli Sahi, Baliapanda and Sea Beach police stations in the Holy City are also facing shortage of security staff.
This apart, Arakhakuda and Penthakata marine police stations are yet to get the required number of police officials to enhance patrolling on the coast.
The posts of two sub-inspectors, seven assistant sub-inspectors and several havildars and constables are lying vacant at Puri Sadar police station. Similarly, Chandanpur and Krushnaprasad police stations are going through shortage of security personnel.
The data available at Odisha police website, however, claimed that all the sanctioned posts at Pipli and Konark police stations have been filled up. However, Delang police station is facing the shortage of two sub-inspectors, six assistant sub-inspectors, one havildar and two constables.
Similarly, Satyabadi and Balanga police stations do not have adequate sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and constables to beef up security.
According to the website, the posts of three sub-inspectors are lying vacant at Astarang police sation. Besides, Gop, Nimapara and Kakatpur police stations are working under staff crunch.
“The Holy City is one of the major tourist destinations in Odisha. Besides, thousands of devotees from across the globe visit Srimandir on a daily basis. However, the state government has failed to fill up the sanctioned posts at police stations in Puri city. This is a matter of grave concern,” said a social activist.
