Bihar earmarks Rs 10 cr for police upgradation

Patna, June 27: The Bihar cabinet has earmarked Rs 10 crore for modernisation of state police force with latest weaponry and other logistics to combat Maoists and other extremist groups.

Official sources here today the funds are to be used for upgrading the weponry system of the force, particularly for those posted in the Maoist and other extremist dominated districts, besides improving the transportation network.

Of the total fund, Rs 2.58 crore would be spent for purchase of automatic rifles, carbines, revolvers and latest communication equipment to effectively deal with the different extremist groups operating in the state.

Besides upgrading the facilities of some of the existing police stations and outposts, Rs 1.96 crore had been allotted for setting up of a number of new police camps in violence prone districts such as Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Gaya and Siwan districts, the sources said.

New fleet of vehicles would also be bought for improving the mobility of the force in this year, sources added.

''We are planning to purchase about 160 new vehicles this year at a cost of about Rs four crore for the force for round the clock patrolling and for combat operations'', the sources confirmed.

Lack of modern weaponry and effective transportation has of late pushed the Bihar police force to remain at the receiving end in most of the extremist attacks and other types of violence which had affected their morale to a great extent.

''With the modernisation and upgradation of fire power the Bihar police would now be in a position to tackle the menace quite effectively'', the sources quoted senior police officials as saying.

UNI