Patna: The Bihar government has made major changes to the police administration to make law and order more effective. It has decided to reinstate the zonal policing system in the state. The government believes this system will improve coordination between districts, accelerate crime control, and strengthen the police’s ability to deal with any emergency.
The system was reintroduced after several years
Bihar previously had a zonal policing system, dividing the state into separate police zones. Each zone was headed by a senior police officer who continuously monitored law and order in all districts within their jurisdiction. Later, in 2019, this system was abolished and districts began to be monitored directly through police headquarters.
Crime control will be more effective.
Under the new system, each police zone will be headed by a senior officer. The Superintendents of Police (SPs) of the respective districts will maintain direct coordination with them. In the event of a major crime, communal tension, riot, agitation, or other serious incident in a district, the necessary police force and resources can be immediately reviewed at the zone level to ensure the availability of the necessary police force and resources.
There will be less pressure on the police headquarters.
One of the objectives of the new system is to reduce the growing administrative pressure on police headquarters. With monitoring at the zone level, many cases can be resolved more quickly at the local level. This is expected to make the decision-making process more effective.
Benefits during festivals and elections
The zonal system can be very useful during major religious events, festivals, elections, and other sensitive occasions. If special security arrangements are needed in multiple districts simultaneously, additional police forces and resources can be quickly coordinated at the zonal level.