Reputation at stake, Ghaziabad cops watch Games staff for disorderly conduct

Ram Babu, constable with the Etah district police, was transferred to Ghaziabad merely a week ago to be part of the staff deployed for next year’s Commonwealth Games. Now, the Ghaziabad police chief has issued orders to send him back. Reason — Ram Babu was found inebriated while on duty.

In his letter to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Etah, Akhil Kumar, Deputy Inspector General cum SSP, Ghaziabad, has ordered for him to be sent back to Etah for drinking his time away in Ghaziabad. “Constable Ram Babu has been found roaming around in a drunken state, which could be hazardous for deploying him in security-related activities,” the letter states.

The constable could damage the image of the UP police on an international level, the letter further reads. “Many distinguished guests, army personnel and players would be taking part in Commonwealth Games 2010. If police personnel of such repute are deputed in the security of these foreign guests, the chances of the UP police getting a tarnished image would increase,” the police chief stated in the letter.

Officials of the Police Establishment Board of Uttar Pradesh had finalised the names of 98 constables, who have been transferred to Ghaziabad for better management of traffic, law and order, and more effective functioning of the district’s control room in case of emergencies during next year’s Games. Personnel have been called in from Aligarh, Etah, Mahamaya Nagar, Jhansi, Kanpur Dehat, Lucknow, Mathura, Ferozabad and Laitpur.

According to a senior police officer, the Ghaziabad police are keeping a strict tab on the newly deployed constables’ public dealings and behaviour. “We are keeping a watch on them for any kind of uncalled for behaviour to avoid controversy in the future.”