Nagpur: With several prominent establishments, including the RSS headquarters, receiving terror threats, Nagpur top cop Vishwas Nangre Patil has mandated SLR-armed nakabandi across the commissionerate to strengthen the city’s security grid.Under a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued to standardise checkpoint operations, the police commissioner has also made service revolvers, lathis and helmets mandatory, besides deploying counter-terror experts and specialised personnel from Unit Special-30 at sensitive locations.The circular, issued to all police stations, traffic branches and specialised units, lays down the objectives of nakabandi — preventing crime, tracking wanted criminals, checking vehicles, gathering intelligence and strengthening counter-terror preparedness, sources said.“Every nakabandi point must now be equipped with self-loading rifles (SLR) for armed cover, lathis and helmets for personal protection of personnel, besides torches, wireless sets, traffic cones and barricades. The SOP makes it mandatory that no nakabandi shall be conducted without these minimum protective and operational tools,” said a senior inspector.A key feature of the SOP is the mandatory zigzag checkpoint pattern. The circular includes a diagram drawn by CP Nangre Patil, showing how barricades and cones should be placed to slow vehicles naturally for systematic checking without causing major traffic congestion. Police personnel have been instructed to follow the layout during both day and night operations.“The manpower norms are equally specific. Each nakabandi must have a Police Inspector or Assistant Police Inspector as in charge, adequate armed constables, women police for gender-sensitive checks, traffic police for smooth vehicle flow and, crucially, personnel trained in counter-terrorism and explosives detection at sensitive points,” an official said.The SOP also makes coordination with the control room, neighbouring police stations and specialised units mandatory through wireless communication and the SIMBA app for real-time vehicle verification and criminal database checks.It lays down detailed dos and don’ts for nakabandi, directing personnel to remain courteous while conducting lawful searches, avoid unnecessary force and maintain proper records. Separate protocols have been prescribed for night nakabandi, vehicle patrols, suspicious vehicles and immediate reporting of recoveries or other incidents, while emphasising protection of citizens’ rights during checks.The initiative aims to bring uniformity to nakabandi operations across the city while improving the safety of personnel deployed at checkpoints.“By making protective gear and counter-terror experts mandatory, the SOP also addresses the safety concerns of police personnel who often work in vulnerable conditions during these operations,” a source said.All police stations have been directed to implement the SOP immediately and submit compliance reports. Senior officers have also been asked to conduct surprise inspections to ensure strict adherence.SMOOTH PASSAGE FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN & SENIOR CITIZENSNagpur: Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil and CTO have directed personnel to ensure that women, children and senior citizens are not subjected to unnecessary checks or delays at nakabandi points.Officers have been asked to deal with them courteously and, in the case of children, adopt a child-friendly approach while carrying out security checks.The SOP emphasises that security measures should be implemented with empathy, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not harassed or inconvenienced during routine nakabandi.
