State decides in-principle to introduce commissionerate of police system in Berhampur

Urban policing in two more cities

The state government on Sunday decided in-principle to introduce commissionerate of police system in Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur.

Currently, the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are under the commissionerate of police system that was introduced in 2008 after the enactment of Odisha Urban Police (OUP) Act, 2003.

"Officers in the rank of DIG or IG would head the proposed commissionerate of police system. Berhampur municipal corporation and adjoining areas in Ganjam district, Sambalpur municipal corporation and adjoining areas and Rourkela municipality and its adjoining industrial areas would come under it," said a senior police officer.

The government would soon issue an executive order. It need not seek approval of the assembly since the OUP Act, 2003, is an enabling legislation for such matters, sources said.

Recently, the government announced to upgrade Sambalpur & Rourkela municipalities into corporations. "Considering the profile and growth of the three cities, the government has decided to improve policing there," he said. Source: ToI