Varanasi: Cracking down on dereliction of duty, Azamgarh superintendent of police Anil Kumar has suspended 13 police personnel and ordered departmental inquiries against 19 others after lapses were found in routine checks, night patrolling and anti-cattle smuggling operations.The action followed inspections and reviews of field operations, which revealed widespread irregularities. The SP said several personnel were found absent from night duty without prior permission or sanctioned leave. During the sensitive Bakrid period, some allegedly abandoned assigned duty points and parked Police Response Vehicles (PRVs) at unauthorised locations.Inspections also found personnel sleeping while on PRV duty. In several cases, they failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the removal of Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), raising concerns over their alertness and adherence to protocol.Lapses were also reported among personnel stationed at toll plazas to curb cattle smuggling and maintain law and order. Some were found sitting idle instead of conducting checks, while others were reportedly resting on cots near their duty points.Terming the conduct detrimental to policing standards and the force’s image, the SP ordered strict disciplinary action against the erring personnel. He also warned that any negligence in duty or defiance of orders would invite stringent action in the future.
