Bihar Police Set to Form Drone Units Across Districts for Enhanced Surveillance and Security

PATNA – In a significant stride towards bolstering law enforcement capabilities, Bihar Police is gearing up to establish drone police units in all districts of the state. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, these drone units will play a pivotal role in various aspects of policing, ranging from maintaining law and order to traffic control, as well as aiding in operations like raids and reconnaissance against criminals.

The announcement was made by ADG Jitendra Singh Gangwar, who serves at the Police Headquarters. He highlighted that the drones would serve multiple purposes, including cracking down on liquor and sand mafias, particularly in the Diara area. Additionally, these drones will be instrumental in monitoring illegal opium cultivation in Naxal-affected regions.

The Special Task Force (STF) of the police will serve as the nodal agency for the Drone Police Unit. ADG Gangwar emphasized that the drones would be a crucial part of Bihar Police’s mission security, one of the ten missions planned for the new year.

As part of the initiative, a proposal for the purchase of drones has been prepared, pending approval from the state government. Police personnel and officials associated with the Drone Police Unit will undergo specialized training for drone operation. They will also obtain drone pilot licenses to operate different drones based on weight categories.

Bihar Police has sought collaboration and insights from Tamil Nadu Police, Uttarakhand Police, and the Air Force in forming the drone unit. Tamil Nadu Police, for instance, utilizes drones for surveillance in coastal areas. Talks with these entities aim to gather valuable experiences and best practices in drone operations.

Under Mission Suraksha, the police will target illegal firearms, cartridges, and networks involved in the smuggling of substances such as liquor, opium, and ganja. The focus will extend to identifying and dismantling the entire chain of illegal activities. Modern software and equipment will be deployed at the police station level to enhance policing capabilities.

The types of drones to be utilized include Nano Drones (weight: 250 grams, no license required), Micro Drones (weight: 250 grams to 2 kg), Small Drones (weight: 2 to 25 kg), Medium Drones (weight: 25 to 150 kg), and Large Drones (weighing more than 150 kg).

In tandem with the drone initiative, Bihar Police has launched “Mission Investigation @ 75 Days” in all police stations from January 1. The mission aims to expedite investigations and bring a swift resolution to cases. The police will strive to complete the investigation of all FIRs within a maximum of 75 days.

The initiative includes setting a time limit of 60 days for cases registered under serious sections like crimes against women, SC/ST, or POCSO. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) will monitor the progress, and district and police station-wise rankings will be established based on research performance. Regular reviews will be conducted, emphasizing the importance of expediting investigations in cases pending before January 1, 2024. A priority list for old cases will be established to streamline the process further.