I want to bring about a change: Sikera

Navneet Sikera,  DIG Lucknow Range is a truly  inspiring personality,  Belonging  to the 1996 batch of IPS,  Sikera apart from being in-charge of the range,  is also looking after the 1090 Women’s Power line.  Launched almost two years back by the Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to protect women from sexual harassment, 1090 is a shining example of how an initiative can bring a change. In an exclusive interview with The Lucknow Tribune, Sikera talks about his life, challenges that he faces in his daily life and the vision he has for the police force.

 What are the challenges you face in your daily life?

  A cop’s life is full of challenges. The day starts with people waiting outside my house to meet me and I feel obliged to solve their problems and help in whichever way I can. As the day unfolds, the number of people seeking help keeps on growing. It is a satisfying job and I get a chance to associate  with people belonging to different strata of society and help them in whatever way possible.

  Recently you launched a drive against unauthorised use of red beacons. How successful has been this drive and what problems did you face while enforcing the Supreme Court order?

The drive has been very successful and is still continuing. There were certain problems at the outset, as an earlier order by the state government as to who can use the beacon was challenged by the Supreme Court and the new order by the state government is still pending. So, during checking we ensured that no unauthorised person was allowed to get away. We conducted raids thrice a day with a team of 50 personnel. The use of CCTV cameras came very handy as no one could complain of harassment or misbehaviour on part of the policemen.

 There is a perception that law and order situation in the city is not good. What is your take on that?

India is a developing country and there are needs and priorities of such a nation to provide its citizens with food, shelter, education and medical facilities. Security is last on the priority list but when in terms of importance it is first. Security is a costly affair which requires heavy investment and one needs to keep on investing with no returns. Though if you compare from the past years, dacoits and other gangsters have been eliminated and the focus is now on tackling cyber crime.

To improve policing in the city, around 800 cycles and 100 other vehicles are being inducted into the police force to beef up patrolling.

But do you think that given the present time when criminals are using sophisticated weapons and high- tech gadgets do you think that these 800 cycles can be of any help?

The idea is to increase mobility and help the constables and home guards who are patrolling in sensitive and remote areas of the city. There are places where even the motor-cycles are unable to go. It is in these areas that cycles will be of use. We are also providing sophisticated electronic gadgets to our police personnel. The training of the personnel is updated constantly to combat the new generation criminal.

What is the success rate of 1090? Has it made an impact and what results it has produced?

The total complaints of eve teasing from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 registered were 2, 22,419 and altogether 2, 22,419 complaints were registered and 1, 42,112 problems were resolved all across Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow topped the list with 29,898 complaints.  Most victims of harassment were students (almost 50%) followed by 14% working women and 36% non working.  We started a campaign in various schools and colleges and spread the message “say NO to nonsense at the very first time itself.” We have planned to train and introduce a power angel in every class and group of the state. Our first mission has been very successful against the crank callers and now we aim at provide this power to women commuters in public transports or women in any corner of the city.

Are your goals achieved and what message do you want to give to the youth?

I never had a sense of achievement because as I achieved any goal, new goals emerged. I am still trying to achieve targets.  I like to connect with the youth and it is satisfying to work with them. I love to interact with them as it can help me understand their mind and their aspirations.  It is important for the youth to have a fire within. I joined the police service because I was inspired. An incident in my youth made me give up my ambition of becoming a software engineer and instead I become a police officer. A rough policeman, who insulted my father when I went to the police station, made me decide to join this profession. I wanted to bring a change so that no one suffers what I did. This is what drives me to perform.