Head constables to wear pistol in MP

Bhopal, Apr 21: Instead of carrying gawky rifle, the head constable across the state would now wield advanced firearms like revolver and pistol. The state government has approved a proposal in this regard and amendments have been made in the Madhya Pradesh Police Regulation Act for the purpose. Till now, the Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI) and officials above the hierarchy line were vested with powers to wield the revolver and pistol.

It was learnt that the decision was taken following attacks on head constables who failed to retaliate due to unwieldy and overweight rifles. Last year, a habitual offender along with his accomplices injured four police personnel in a spate of attacks. Though, the criminal was later shot dead in a police encounter but the incident has put serious questions on viability of weapons being carried by lower rank cops. The rifles lacking dexterity not only trouble the cops in carrying them but also prove inconvenient during combing operation. The rifles also pose serious dangers to passersby especially in the urban areas.

The Police Headquarters (PHQ), after going reviewing the entire situation, drafted a proposal and sent it to the Home Department, which eventually gave green signal to it. The proposal has been sanctioned under modernization plan and necessary amendments have been made in the MP Police Regulations Act. Head constables posted with police station in the urban areas would be equipped with the pistols and revolvers in the first phase. The state government has already started buying the weapons to implement the proposal.