Role of police vital to development, CM reminds new batch of constables

YANGYANG, 08 May: The passing out parade of 199 newly recruited constables of Sikkim Police, Indian Reserve Battalion and Sikkim Fire Services was held today here at the Police Training Centre, Yangyang, with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who also holds the Home portfolio, inspecting the parade as the chief guest.
Out of 199 passing out personnel, 114 are with IRBn, two from Sikkim Fire Services and 83 Sikkim Police women constables. Khilbarna Gurung is the Training Superintendent of Police while KD Sangdarpa is the Principal PTC under whose supervision this nine-month training was conducted.
The passing out parade took the oath to serve the country and state whole heartedly. The Chief Minister inspected the passing out parade and took the salute of the contingent. Director General of Police Jasbir Singh in his address said that the PTC was shifted in May 2008 from the two acre plot in Ranipool to its present location spread across a lavish 14 acres in Yangyang.
Barracks with a capacity of 200 with mess facilities and quarter guard have already been constructed. The administrative block with adequate number of classrooms at a cost of Rs. 2.4 crore under the 13th FC Grant with Rs. 50 lakh provided under the state plan is nearing completion, he informed. He further said that Sikkim was the first state in the entire country to have 30% reservation for women including the civil police.
Principal, PTC Yangyang, Superintendent of Police KD Sangderpa presented the training report where he informed that the training started on 22 July 2011. After its establishment in 2008 this is the second passing out parade held at PTC Yangyang, the first one was held in 2009.
Later, Chief Minister handed over the award of Best all round performer to Amber Bdr. Manger of IRBn and announced Rs 15,000 cash award to him from his side. Similarly, Outdoor best performer award to Jigmee Wangchuk Bhutia of IRBn, best women outdoor performer to Pranisha Tamang of Sikkim Police, Best Indoor performer to Bir Bdr. Jairu of IRBn, best women indoor performer to Karishma Rai of Sikkim Police were also declared.
In Cross Country Race Silash Gurung of IRBn, Ganga Maya Tamang of Sikkim Police in women cross country race. Similarly, Saroj Rai of IRBn received the award of Best Marksman (shooter) and Rekha Rai of Sikkim Police as best markswomen. Karma Pintso Bhutia of IRBn was adjudged as the Best Disciplined recruit constable. The Chief Minister announced the cash award of Rs. 10,000 each to the winners of these awards.
While addressing the passing out parade of Sikkim Police and IRBn at Police Training Centre, Yangyang today the CM said that, the responsibilities of Police personnel are the same as that of the leader of a state and country with the ultimate aim to provide security to the people living inside the boundary.
“Even though we are in third word countries but the Police in Sikkim should work with the mindset of the police personnel of first world countries”, stating this he further said that the Singapore Police has played a great role in making the Singapore of today, similarly, Sikkim Police should also play a vital role in making Sikkim a model state of the country. Better Police can only create a better state, he added.
The CM further said that, police should not be aligned to any political party, religion or caste. Today, in most of the states, the police does not have a good reputation, stating this the CM further said that the police has been empowered by the constitution of India to work for the safety of the common people and not to overpower and harass them.
He further said that, Sikkim under his governance was the first state to upgrade home guards to police constables. He also assured to provide PTC Yangyang with more infrastructural facilities and expressed his vision to change this PTC into a Northeast Police Training College.
Further, he urged the common people to stay away from people who are misleading them for their personal benefits. The Chief Minister stressed that Sikkim was a peace-loving state and there were fewer headaches for the police but the recent arrest of a KPP militant in East Sikkim has brought forth the need for the Sikkim Police to be more vigilant regarding such cases. He also said that today such antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peace and tranquillity of Sikkim and are attempting to make it into their den.
Cultural programmes and band display by Sikkim Police also marked the occasion.