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Shortage of cops at police stations due to fuel duties

30 Mar 2022

 
  • Additional duties in managing fuel and gas queues cited
  • IGP instructs OICs to co-ordinate to fill vacuum
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Police said that, at certain times, there is a shortage of officers in police stations due to the assignment of officers for unforeseen duties, such as conflict management, at fuel stations and gas distribution centres these days, in addition to the normal duties of police officers. Speaking to The Morning, a senior police official said that although criminal investigation duties and traffic duties are usually the main duties of the Police, in addition to these, there are a number of other unexpected duties that are being assigned to police officers these days. “With the current situation in the country, there are constant clashes between people queuing up to buy gas, fuel, kerosene, and other commodities. Police officers should go to those places as soon as such an incident is reported. Also, there are minor complaints, criminal investigations, and traffic duties as usual. Therefore, in many places, there are not enough police officers on duty at certain times.” However, he said that in order to avoid such issues, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne has instructed the officers in charge (OICs) of police stations islandwide to co-ordinate with the nearest police station and bring in officers if the number of officers in a particular police station is not sufficient at a given time. “If the duties of a particular police station increase unexpectedly, the IGP has instructed the OICs to inform the divisional heads and bring in officers from another police station nearest to them,” he said. The country has been affected by several issues over the past few months with the economy being hit hard due to the serious deficit of US dollar (USD) reserves needed for imports. Over the last few months, many arrivals of stocks of fuel, gas, and other goods have been delayed due to the said issue. As a result, the country is facing a shortage of fuel, gas, milk powder, kerosene, and many other goods these days and people are seen waiting in long queues to buy them, where a number of clashes have also been reported. Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa recently said that although it is not possible to provide round-the-clock security at fuel stations, gas distribution centres, and other places where there are long queues for the purchase of essentials, around the country, the Police have taken steps to provide maximum security to such locations. He said: “Police officers have a number of duties, such as criminal investigations and traffic-related duties. As a result, there are not enough police officers to provide round-the-clock security to fuel stations and other such places where there are large crowds gathered these days. However, the police stations islandwide have been instructed to take the necessary steps in order to provide security to such places as and when required.” He added that the relevant police stations would take steps to ensure the safety of the fuel stations and gas distribution centres, especially when the fuel bowsers and new gas cylinders arrive.


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