Kolkata: Commending Bengal Police for cracking the Baruipur rape-murder case within days and arresting all four accused, with one later killed in an encounter, CM Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said the force had “brought honour to the police minister”.“I am grateful to all of you. We do not want another Abhaya. The Baruipur incident was pathetic and painful. But govt did not remain silent. The way state police showed zero tolerance in the Baruipur incident, hats off to the DGP and his team,” Adhikari said.Addressing senior police officers and personnel at Bhavani Bhawan on Tuesday, where saffron-coloured raincoats and umbrellas were distributed among cops, the CM added: “When it comes to atrocities against mothers, sisters and daughters… do whatever you have to do, but do it in accordance with law. I am with you.”Adhikari also announced the launch of four toll-free numbers — 1800-3450166, 1800-3450167, 1800-3450168 and 1800-3450169 — to allow citizens to directly register complaints with a special control room at Nabanna between 8 am and 10 pm.In addition, the govt introduced dedicated complaint numbers targeting specific forms of corruption. Complaints related to cut money can be lodged on 155334, syndicate-related corruption on 1553335, illegal road toll collection on 1553337 and illegal liquor operations on 1553339.“The govt has consistently sent a message of zero tolerance against these practices, and ordinary people will now be able to report such corruption directly,” Adhikari said.The CM also unveiled a major expansion plan for the police force, saying the state would recruit one lakh personnel in phases over the next few financial years. He said the state currently has only 106 police personnel per one lakh population, well below the national average of 155 and significantly lower than Uttar Pradesh’s 200 per lakh.“The path is now clear to fill the 47,000 vacancies that remained stalled due to legal complications. Orders are also being issued for 14,000 trained constables to join duty before Durga Puja,” he said.Seeking to address long-standing financial grievances within the force, Adhikari said the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission would be implemented immediately after submission. As an interim measure, police personnel will receive an additional 20% dearness allowance from Oct to narrow the gap with central govt employees, while the monthly ration allowance will increase from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.The CM also announced the formation of a State Investigation Agency, or SIA, on the lines of NIA, saying the move followed discussions with Union home minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Bengal.In a significant political message, Adhikari said police personnel would no longer be deployed at political programmes and promised to establish a politically neutral welfare board to oversee housing, healthcare and sports facilities.
