Chandigarh: UT Police personnel have been working under sustained pressure for the past few months, with repeated farmers’ protests, political agitations, VVIP visits and other law-and-order arrangements leaving them with little time to rest or recover. The strain has been compounded by a shortage of manpower, with a large chunk of the force deployed away from routine policing.Of the nearly 5,800 personnel in the UT Police, around 4,000 are currently deployed on duties related to farmers’ protests, VVIP visits, security arrangements and other law-and-order requirements, according to police sources. This has left limited manpower available for regular policing, patrolling and other duties across the city.The pressure was evident on Thursday morning when a wireless message from a senior officer directed personnel to report for assigned duties even after completing their night shifts. The instructions cited the need to maintain adequate deployment at key locations in view of the shortage of personnel.The department has also cancelled leave for police personnel amid continuing deployments, adding to concerns among members of the force about prolonged working hours and inadequate rest.Under the latest arrangements, personnel deployed at nakas in and around Sector 25 have been directed to continue their duties. If additional deployment is required, personnel posted around Panjab University have been asked to move to designated locations on the orders of the officer in charge and perform additional duty.The directions also cover personnel who recently returned after being deployed for law-and-order duties during the farmers’ protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border. Those assigned to security arrangements for Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan’s visit to PU on Friday have also been directed to report for duty.The latest round of deployments comes amid repeated complaints from police personnel about extended shifts and insufficient time between duties. Personnel said repeated deployments and long working hours have left them with little opportunity to recover before being sent back into the field.Some cops have also raised concerns over the impact of prolonged working hours and inadequate sleep on their health. Personnel have reported lifestyle-related ailments, including hypertension, although establishing a direct medical link with their working hours would require medical assessment.The situation highlights the mounting pressure on the city police force, which is required to simultaneously handle protests, VVIP security, traffic regulation, law-and-order arrangements and routine policing with limited manpower.Box: Weary on frontlines— Around 4,000 of 5,800 personnel are deployed on special duties, leaving only about 1,800 for routine policing.— Personnel completing night duty have been called back for fresh assignments.— Leave has been cancelled amid continuing deployment requirements.— Personnel returning from protest duties have been assigned to fresh law-and-order and security duties.— Police personnel say long shifts and inadequate rest are affecting their ability to recover between duties.BOX | Where the cops are deployed— Farmers’ protests: Personnel deployed for law-and-order duties, including at the Chandigarh-Mohali border.— VVIP visits: Large deployments for security arrangements, including the Vice-President’s visit to Panjab University.— Security duties: Personnel assigned to protect VVIPs and other important installations and locations.— Law and order: Cops deployed for political agitations, protests and other sensitive situations.— Nakas & checkpoints: Personnel deployed at nakas in and around Sector 25 and other key locations.
