For obvious reasons, Gadhchiroli and other Maoist-affected regions in Maharashtra have long been considered punishment postings by police officers in the state.
Officers have been known to pull all possible strings to avoid being stationed in those parts. But now, not only will it be difficult to dodge the posting, the officer may well be punished for not having the experience on his track record.
The state government has made its intent of buttressing the security set-up in the Maoist-affected regions clear. In a government resolution (GR) passed last week by the home department, it has been made mandatory for all newly recruited Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to serve in Gadhchiroli and other Maoist-affected areas of the state as their first posting. This order is also applicable to all deputy superintendent-level police officers recruited through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.
The home department has said that if any officer refuses to take up the posting, for any reason, a remark shall be made in the officer’s service record and it will have an impact on his future tenures.
The GR states that when an officer’s record is scrutinised in the future, it will be checked if the officer has worked in any of Gadhchiroli, Nagpur, Maoist-affected areas, Anti Naxal Operation (ANO), Unconventional Operations Training Centre (UOTC) and the state intelligence department in Gadhchiroli, as part of his first posting.
In a bid to infuse young blood in the force, it has also been decided that only officers within the age group of 23-40 should be posted in these areas.
The first tenure of the officer will be of two-and-a-half years in the sensitive parts of Gadhchiroli and a further three years in the Vidarbha region. However, after completing this tenure, the officer would then be posted to the district and region of his choice as a token of appreciation of his service, the GR states.
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