In an attempt to boost the morale of the police forces working in the Maoist-affected areas, Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti on Friday said full salary for the entire service period will be given to the family of police officers who were killed on duty.

“A proposal for giving special risk allowance to police personnel working in the Naxal-affected areas is also being considered,” said Chakrabarti.

The allowance will amount to 30 per cent of the gross salary of the police personnel, he added.

Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh, meanwhile, spoke to the family of the police officers killed at Sankrail police station in West Midnapore.

Chakrabarti said the government is considering giving jobs to any member of deceased officer’s family. He added the family of the officers will be allowed to stay at their official residence.

The government is also trying to find the two constables who had gone missing during the attack on Sankrail police station by the Maoists.

“We are trying to ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” said Chakrabarti.

Centre approves Rs 53 crore to modernise state police
The Centre has approved Rs 53 crore for the modernising of the state police force and upgrading the infrastructure. Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, who was in New Delhi earlier this week to attend a meeting convened by the Union home secretary, today said the Centre and the state will in the ratio of 75:25.

Of the amount, Rs 15 to 20 crore had already been sanctioned for inducting bullet proof cars, mine-proof vehicles and sophisticated arms and ammunition among other gadgets. Construction of modern police barracks would also be taken up. The work would start immediately, Sen said. The Centre has also assured the state of a fund worth Rs 6 crore for upgrading infrastructure in police stations hit by left wing extremism, he said.

... contd.