The adage of “for the people, by the people and of the people” can very aptly be applied to Nasik Police (Rural), thanks to Superintendent of Police Nikhil J Gupta (IPS, 1996 batch). The officer has launched Village Defence Parties (VDPs) or Gram Rakshak Dal (GRDs) to contain crime, harnessing the cooperative spirit of the people of Maharashtra.
“The population explosion has brought with it an increase in crime rates. Natural calamities also keep striking the state. Hamstrung by the dismal citizen-police ratio, we are often unable to reach the scene of crime on time, especially in rural areas. To augment the strength of the existing police force, formation of VDPs in every village of the district is the best solution,” says Gupta.
Beginning June 2007, the first phase of the project saw enrolment of nearly 12,000 members in a little over a month. In the second phase, another 10,000 joined. By the end of August, the number rose to 24,000. Today, the number of VDP members in Nasik (Rural) stands at over 26,000, including 600 women. All the 1,843 villages of the district are covered.
Such efforts have constitutional backing in the Bombay Police Act, 1957 and the Bombay Police Manual Vol. III, Rule 508.
All the members have been taught self-defence as well as given lathi and whistle training. They have also been taught patrolling, law and police functioning, collection of intelligence, and ways to fight natural hazards. These VDPs have become a role model for the entire state and the Maharashtra police chief has called for implementation of this initiative in every district.
The effort of enrolment and training has paid off. The VDPs have assisted the police in peaceful conduct of local body elections, religious functions, and the Maharashtra government’s Tanta Mukta Gaon (dispute-free village) initiative. Besides, they have also helped in prevention of major property offences and highway dacoity, and in arrest of thieves, foodgrain and sandalwood smugglers. They have foiled kidnappings and eve-teasing. Significantly, since the people are involved in policing, the police bandobast at major religious and social gatherings has fallen by 25 per cent.
Members of VDPs are also helping accident victims on highways and voluntarily digging wells to overcome the potable water shortage in remote areas.
