6600 police officers teach India what humanity is all about

The word police elicits fear in most people because the only image that comes to mind is a tough talking uniformed disciplinarian that issues challans, books cases and throws people in jail; a scary image that is nigh impossible to change.

But the immensely humane behaviour employed by the Mahabubnagar district police during the Krishna Pushkaralu between August 12 and August 23 has completely changed our pre-conceived notion of a soulless lathi charging man.

All-through the 12-day river festival, the police were seen in a wholly different avatar. They served the multitude of devotees that flocked into the district with utmost care and dedication, at times even forgetting their own personal life; a rare spectacle indeed.

The River Krishna passes through Mahabubnagar district before it enters Telangana, Nalgonda district and Andhra Pradesh; given that the NH 44 traverses through the district too, is one of the main reasons most people chose Mahabubnagar district’s ghats to take their holy dip. 

The Pushkara ghats, on the banks of River Krishna, where about 2 crore people took a holy dip, was free of any untoward incident throughout the 12-day extravaganza thanks to the exemplary service provided by the Mahabubnagar police.

People believe that taking a dip in River Krishna during Pushkaralu would ward off evil spirits. This faith brought even the aged and physically challenged in great number to the banks of the river for a holy bath, despite specific instructions that the aged and children were not to be brought to the ghats.

But instead of blaming the public for throwing caution to the wind, the police took it upon themselves to ensure that senior citizens and disabled persons were carefully taken to the ghats for a holy dip in waters.

They took humanity a step further when they carried those who couldn’t walk on their shoulders to ensure they had a chance to participate in the holy ritual.

The police (including home-guards) were seen in action throughout the district, clearing the traffic on roads and assisting the people at ghats and at alighting points.

Given the Mahabubnagar is a key district for Pushkarlu, about 6600 police personnel (more than half were from neighboring districts) had to be deployed to maintain orderly conduct during the festival.

While controlling the traffic on the national highways itself was a herculean task, ensuring that the event is mishap-free as well is a phenomenal feat.

According to a senior official, the police could spare more time to assist the pilgrims because of the successful deployment of their app that helped them monitor every aspect of the festival.

“The event passed off peacefully as the vehicular control on 1100 KM stretch of highways was monitored by using an app (Kris-P) developed for the Pushkarlu. Creation of holding points on NH eliminated the chances of traffic chaos. This helped police to transform themselves into volunteers among the millions of pilgrims,” said Rema Rajeswari, SP of the district.

How a small force of seven additional SPs, 39 DSPs,153 CIs,563 Sis 886 ASIs led the police volunteers to control a mob of 2 crore is now the talk of this quaint town.