Man of Principle

His name itself is a combination of dark and light, and so is his persona. Being hard on criminals he is soft hearted to the commons. Born on Independence Day, patriotism had to be an integral part of his heart and soul, and so it is.

This 1998 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer is a journalist, enthusiast, poet, publisher, scholar of religious studies as he often recites verses from the holy Geeta as well ayats from the Holy Quraan.

While their senior IPS officers often inspire officers of lower rank, he is isolated to have been inspired by his sub-inspector father. Police, right from British India, termed and treated a nomadic tribe as thieves while this man rehabilitated and re-joined them with the society during his stint in Ahmednagar.

This poet hearted IPS is inspired by the Rubaiyat stanzas of Robert Frost’s poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. As his persona, the poetry too describes a late evening while the poet wrote it early morning.

Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Krishna Prakash hails from Kurambay village in Ramgarh (formerly known as Hazaribagh) district of then Bihar. He studied in a local school near his native village before shifting to the St Robert’s School and completed his intermediate from the St Columba College with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, however Krishna graduated from the Ranchi University in History.

Krishna took his first assignment as a journalist with YuvaSandesh, a local magazine which he looked after as an editor. He was selected to be the only candidate in his 1998 batch of IPS after two failed attempts. Right from the days of his journalistic career, Krishna wrote and compiled articles on secularism and so he now uses them in his daily service.

In an interview with Mumbai Headlines Correspondent Yash Mishra, Krishna Prakash spoke out his heart for the Nation, policing and the way Mumbai police can over-rule the ‘Bobby’ of Scotland, excerpts:

Can you reconstruct your journey to the IPS? Was it deep rooted since childhood?

Yes, it was deep rooted since my childhood. As I started understanding things, I saw my father in a police dress so there was a charm. When I first dressed in the Scout-Guide-grey, my sister thought it was Khakhi (police dress) and so saluted me, it further deepened the thought. 

During my college days, I often visited my uncle’s place which was situated close to the IPS training centre and hence had a opportunity to interact with the probationers and that was the time when I started planning for the civil exams.

People generally fear the police but in your case you were a celebrity during your service as SP Ahmed Nagar, how did you achieve that much public support?

An officer is always lucky to get such support, had the government not supported how would I go there? So I am also thankful to the government equally. I always kept in mind that I am here to serve people, I am nothing special but just some one who is assigned to look after their well being. According to Bhagvad Gita, god exists in our lives and so every creature is a part of God, considering this verse, I always treated people accordingly. Jean Jacques Rousseau similarly repeats it in his social contract, which is considered as a Bible of democracy, he says ‘the state or the government is nothing but a social contract and this contract is based on the common will of the citizen.’

I had experimented it in Nanded, Malegaon, Buldhana, Amravati, Sangli and Ahmednagar as well. During my Nagar service, I observed that the ‘Phase-Pardhi’ (a nomadic tribe notified as thieves by the British) were boycotted from society and resided in pockets outside regular villages. This boycott resulted in leaving the tribe jobless and thus taking theft as profession. I re-united the community with the society and helped them gaining their self-respect which deleted their isolated identity.

What is the essence of community policing?

Going to the public and involving public in policing are two different ways. Whatever the number of policemen it may be, it will always be lesser than the community. Involving people in such programs will ensure that everyone is a citizen policeman. Many women had tipped me about illicit joints as their husbands were victimized there, and by these resources a policemen develops a very strong source of information network which is never ending and authentic.

South Mumbai being a creamy layer area, it equally has sensitive slum pockets, how do you ensure safety?

Perceiving the scenario post 9/11 terror strike, it can only be achieved if high-ended intelligence is gathered timely. People can of course help the police but to a limitation. The police were taken to surprise as we are not assigned to counter terrorism then, however now we too are prepared. Our basic task is to ensure law and order and assist citizens in all possible means.

You have quoted from Robert Frost’s poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ on your facebook page, what prominence does the rubaiyat stanza have in your life?

I completely believe in the above statement as I think I have a lot to do and don’t have that much time. We should utilize our time in a proper and organised manner.

(Explanation: the above poem is very popular among US children and depicts a horse-rider who had to stop by the woods in a snowy evening but his task is to travel. The poem series were written at the author’s dwelling house throughout the night, however this poem was written early morning in a rapid flow and became the most popular one)

What is the biggest task that Mumbai police goes through?

It is the security arrangement during festivals, terror alerts and so on. Mumbai being a hub of business, VIPs, VVIPs and prominent persons of our society our prime concern is to arrange proper security measures.

What is your message for Mumbai Headlines readers?

I request every citizen to adopt policing for the betterment of the society. If all participate in policing our city will really become the city of dreams added with full proof security for its residents. Moreover, I appeal citizens to respect their policemen as they maintain the lines you can hardly sketch.

Dreaded Cop with Poetic Heart

For a cop, it is easy to make common people fear the Khakhi for various reasons. However, it is difficult for a cop posted in a Naxalite area to stop illegal activities. For many posting in a Naxalite area is a punishment while there are some officers who left their mark in such difficult posting as well. Even after years of their transfer from Naxal affected areas, people in common and those who were rehabilitate still remember them for their good. On one such occasion, while travelling from Bhamragadh to Chandrapur, I stopped at a road side tea stall. Spotting a truck loaded with Bamboo sticks, I asked the chaiwala about its legality, to my shock the chaiwala knew that there is a SP who is good at heart but is very strict on illegal activities and no such truck load can pass to reach Ballarsha if it dare transport illegal goods. The chaiwala introduced me first to a young and dynamic Quaiser Khalid, then SP of the Naxal affected belt.

The next were a batch of religious preachers who re-introduced Khalid’s name praising his community policing and able implementation of communal harmony.

The third time I practically witnessed Khalid’s work. It is difficult to manage city’s vehicular traffic congestion of around 21 lakh vehicles everyday and keep the city roads smooth and going, these days we see hundreds of traffic wardens assisting traffic police in their daily work.

This IPS officer of the 1997 batch is a soft spoken man. If you meet him in Mumbai, you will fail to notice his dare-devilness which one would have otherwise noticed during his earlier postings. After being assigned the responsibility to manage city’s traffic as additional commissioner of police (Traffic) Mumbai, Quaiser Khalid is now managing to get as many citizen policemen as he can manage. Being a disciplined officer himself Khalid is engaged in bringing in discipline among traffic policemen.

This IPS officer is an aspiring singer, keen to listen quawwali, has a poetic heart and wears a smile whenever you meet. In a recent interview with Mumbai Headlines Correspondent Yash Mishra, Khalid spooked about his past, present and future plans, excerpts:

What is operation ‘Eagle’ will it help improve traffic?

Operation Eagle is a check operation to keep a vigil on those who violate Traffic rules. We ask our volunteers to stand at a distance from traffic signals and observe how many commuters violate traffic rules, crossing the stop line, driving through the wrong side, cutting lanes and jumping signals are monitored and action is been taken.

Even during operation Eagle, traffic-men are visible so do people still dare to violate rules?

We ensure visibility of traffic cops at traffic prone points to avoid traffic clogging. As none dare to break rules when a policemen is visible much of our problems are solved before it takes place.

Then how do you manage to prosecute people during special checks?

It is sad part that even after regular vigil and prosecution people still drink and drive. People need to be educated on the menace of accidents due to drunken-driving. Rules are made for good and for the benefit of all. Rules or disciplinary action is not for harassing or annoying people it is for the simple reason of hammering one’s head to learn and remember traffic rules. With better training to the cops and people and infrastructure in-terms of raincoats, gumboots,radium uniforms and such basic amenities things could be solved.

Any plans to tackle traffic congestion's at sensitive points?

Yes, we have provided megaphones to traffic cops during need at busy streets our policemen can announce and give direction to citizens. We are also working on implementing an automated system in collaboration with BMC which will recognize a number plate of a vehicle. It will be used to enforce rules and monitor violators.

What are your plans for parking problems?

Due to limited road length and a pool of 21,00000 vehicle plus, each day, and more than 400 registration coming up added with the disadvantage of limited parking space in the city it is necessary to ensure proper roads, infrastructure and modern elevated parking place. The problem can be minimized if people opt to public transport.

It is often seen that WPC of traffic face difficulty in changing dress and attending nature’s call, is there any plan in pipeline?

Yes. We are planning to improve the infrastructure of traffic chokies as there are many women traffic cops.Changing rooms and wash-rooms will be incorporated soon. We are also planning to relocate some police station (traffic) which will be shifted to a better place. We are also coming up with the improvement in coordination system or sharing of information during emergencies, to share information related to traffic we are collaborating with traffline an NGO and also an application which shows an easy way to avoid traffic prone zones during peak hours.

What are the heinous crimes traffic department faces as challenge?

We lose around 450 people to rash driving every year. Many among the deceased people are the lone bread-earners of their respective families, it is sad. Those who feel thrill for rash driving should realize the intensity of their thrill, mere prosecution along cannot handle the problem.

What is your experience so far while managing city’s traffic?

It is very difficult task and a challenge too. It is not only the number of vehicles which is a worry, managing a smooth and free flow during peak hours is our prime concern. Managing traffic flow from Dahisar towards South in the west, Mulund to South Mumbai in the Central and Chembur to South Mumbai in the east and vice-a-versae in the evening is our routine. Added to it is the most congested Chembur-Andheri route. But that is what for which we are known for.

What elements are your arms and guns?

My seniors are my brain boosters and my subordinates are my arms and guns. New joinees who are well educated act catalyst as their grasping power is much high. When they are guided by their expert seniors they manage things well. On field we are working on the lines ‘the age should think and the young should do’ that is the formula of our success. In addition, we have started ‘cop of the month’ scheme in which we select 25 best performing traffic cops and award them. Apart from this we also have an advisory committee where people come and mark their suggestions to improve in the performance, these inputs have resulted positively.

You don’t seem to what you were in Gadchiroli? Any specific reason?

Laughs… Different assignments have different roles to play. Here we need to deal in a polite way as people are much sensitive and know things on their own. In Gadchiroli things were different and needed to be dealt strictly to establish control. It is a skill of managing things according to available resources.

Would you like to spread some message?

Yes. When we travel to a foreign country we look in to personally obeying the law of that land, why do we take our laws casual? Don’t we love our nation or don’t we feel pride being citizen of the democratic republic of India. We all should collectively take efforts to bring ourselves in discipline

 voluntarily.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.