Across all the ranks, police officers in Bengal say the thrust should be on investing in development of infrastructure and equipment, especially in the light of the Lalgarh operation, where for the first time the state police was put on a counter-insurgency test.

Director-General of Police Bhupinder Singh, who took charge a little over a week ago, said that focus should be on training.

“It’s not clear how much we will be getting for modernisation as of now. While we do have specialised forces to tackle different situations, more specific training has to be imparted,” Singh said and added, “More specialised forces have to be formed. Specialised weapons used for counter-insurgency operations also need to be inducted.”

The DGP also said that the police require more equipment for bomb disposal and mine detection.

“We cannot compare our infrastructure with other states, as equipment and upgrades depend on the ground situation specific to us. Wireless systems and communication equipment need to be upgraded,” he added.

Singh also stressed on the importance of upgrading the intelligence-gathering apparatus of the police. In Lalgarh, the police had to cope up with the intelligence deficiency. More personnel have to be trained in intelligence gathering and technical intelligence needs to be strengthened through procuring specific equipment, he said.

He also called for protection of police stations and personnel in the insurgency-affected areas.

“We need to ensure that policemen feel safe. We have to ensure that police stations are not looted or invaded by miscreants,” he said.

Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Rahul Srivastav, who has to battle the unrest in the Hills, feels manpower should be increased to maintain law and order. “The police must also be provided with better weapons. At the moment, the standard rifle used is the .303. We also need more helmets, better bulletproof jackets as well as more police vehicles,” Srivastav said.

Several officers-in-charge of police stations told The Indian Express that housing for police personnel should be the key focus area.

“The barracks are very uncomfortable. Maintenance of police quarters should be done regularly,” said an OC.

Besides this, they asked for more transport facilities, better police hospitals, mental peace and solution to hazards associated with their jobs. “See how well maintained the military hospitals are. Lock-ups should also be upgraded,” said another officer.