Of unsung security forces

SHILLONG: With the extension of the lockdown and the curfew, the police personnel, especially the Rapid Action Force (RAF), among other frontline workers, are having tough duty hours.
The personnel from the RAF reserve at Polo have eight-hour duty in different shifts. Those guarding the Motphran and Police Bazar junctions told The Shillong Times that one company comprising 130 personnel were guarding the two localities. “We came at 7 am and our duty gets over at 3 pm. The next batch comes at 4 pm and the civil police take charge between 3-4 pm,” said RAF inspector Santosh Kumar.
Though food supply is not a problem, the personnel, most of whom are from outside the state, are facing communication problem.
“It is difficult to communicate with the locals coming from outside (the city). Neither we understand their languages (Khasi and Garo) nor do they understand ours,” said Kumar.
Inspector L Bhogendrajit seconded his colleague, adding that at times even the local cops who are non-Khasis cannot convince the residents to stay inside.
There are nine women personnel in the company and “they do face problems like using the toilet but what to do”, pointed out Kumar.
“True, it is a problem for them. We have to request the households at times,” he added.
B Purkayasthya, a police woman on duty at the Secretariat building, said she came to work in the morning and “I am not sure when the duty will be over”.
However, Kumar said they are getting to speak to their families on phone and “that is a relief as we are aware how our loved ones are doing in this time of crisis”. When asked about how they were dealing with rule flouters, the RAF personnel said they were abstaining from harsh punishment and trying to convince people to abide by the government order.