Dora former DGP paid tributes to the martyred Forest Officer P Srinivas and praised his courage and determination to nab the notorious Veerappan. He said that he was a role model to the young Officers.
While speaking on tackling the LW Extremism he said that total unanimity in understanding the problems of LWE by the political parties in power and the bureaucracy, and a joint commitment on their part to respond to it with professionalism, were greatly instrumental in enabling the combined State of Andhra Pradesh in putting an end to this menace and in emerging as a role model for the LWE-afflicted States, across the country. Continuing his address, he said that a strong political and administrative will was the hallmark of the strategy to successfully grapple with the problem of LWE. He also paid rich tribute to the brave hearts who laid down their lives in the service of the country while battling LWE.
“There was no place for dilemmas, inconsistencies, and tendency to succumb to pressures in the campaign against LWE”, Sri Dora stated and added that democracy and extremism cannot go together.
Dora said, with a sense of confidence, that the phenomenon of political interference in the working of police in dealing with the insurgency is a mere myth rather than a reality. “Do not blame politicians. Instead, have a dialogue with them. And in an overwhelmingly large number of cases they would appreciate your point of view, which, in turn, would add to your strengths”, he emphasized.
Dora stated that enriching the competence and commitment of police personnel at all levels was on the top of the agenda to enhance their motivation and morale. Towards this, he added, continuous training became an integral part of man-management.
“Launching of a generous scheme of accelerated promotions and providing an array of facilities, including night-vision goggles, GPS, maps, etc. motivated them to come forward to work in the areas affected by LWE and also in contributing their best to their jobs”, said Sri Dora with a sense of pride.
Sri Dora said that the higher levels of competence and commitment on the part of police personnel had an electrifying multiplier effect. “The trust of people in the better-equipped police personnel as their protectors proved to be the mantra in effectively tackling LWE”, he added.
“As regards countering insurgency, police response alone is not enough”, said Sri Dora and added that the Government simultaneously focused on providing good governance on all fronts that matter to people in rural areas in order to ensure that they do not fall prey to the LWE.
