River police.. Yes ! Guardians of the waterways whose paramount duty is to secure the riverine routes of Assam. Since 1971, Assam has witnessed a regular influx of illegal immigration and majority of this is due to the porous riverine borders between Assam and Bangladesh.
On 24th July 1979, River Police organisation was set up by the then Hon'ble Governor of Assam Lallan Prasad Singh with constituting a separate 'River Police District' comprising areas of Goalpara, Kamrup and Darrang districts. The primary objective orchestrated in this strategic initiative was to proactively counteract unlawful infiltrations while concurrently maintaining a vigilant watch over the formidable expanse of the Brahmaputra.
The administrative structure of the river police was decided under the rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border) Assam as Drawing and Disbursing Officer. A post of Superintendent of River Police (SP), Assam was created for overall administration of the river district. As per the information received from a notification of Assam Police as on 04.01.2021; Shri Kamal Kumar Gupta, APS, was the Superintendent of River Police Organisation. The River Police District is consisted of 4 River police stations and 6 River Police Out Posts manned by 9 Sub Inspectors, 104 Constables and 10 Boatmen; as per the sanctioned strength.
Goalpara (Panchatantra), Sualkuchi, Tezpur and Biswanath Ghat are the 4 River Police Stations of Assam along with 7 other River Police Out Posts in Buraburi (Mahamaya), Chanderdinga, Majeralga, Aye River, Beki River, Nagarbera, Pandu respectively in the districts of Dhubri, Bongaigaon (2 OPs), Barpeta, Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro).
Their foremost duty? To thwart and unearth the clandestine dance of crime, unfolding like a hidden script on the aquatic stage. They are not only the custodians of law and order in the riverine routes and char areas of Brahmaputra but also with a vigilant eye, pierce through the shadows they forestall the incursion of extremism and the furtive whispers of smuggling of goods (primarily cattle) echoing along the riverine route. As the Brahmaputra's undulating expanse serves as a natural frontier, the River Police stand steadfast against the tide of illegal infiltration, a resolute bulwark against the currents of unauthorized entry. Their gaze extends beyond the rippling waters to the unauthorized boats that dare to traverse these liquid highways.
In this choreography of security, the riverine area stretches 110 kilometers along the India-Bangladesh border, a theater where the River Police execute their nuanced maneuvers. Yet, it's not just the fluid expanse that demands their attention; the terra firma of 137.72 kilometers along the India-Bangladesh border is also under their watchful gaze.
In the tale of Brahmaputra's guardians, the River Police emerge as the protagonists, navigating the currents of crime, maintaining order, and securing the borders with a grace that mirrors the river's own timeless flow.
But, the organisation now is in a dilapidating state due to the negligence meted out by the successive governments.
The personnel landscape within the river police organization serves as a vivid portrayal of the true nature of this pivotal branch within the State police force. As per sources, a mere 35 constables, a lone sub-inspector, and a solitary boatman constitute the manpower tasked with overseeing the operations of four river police stations and seven of its outposts. Strikingly, the organization currently lacks any female personnel within its ranks. A scanty fleet of seven steel sal boats stands as the meager arsenal at their disposal, with no speed boats to navigate the vast expanse of the riverine border under their jurisdiction. When the necessity for a speed boat arises, resorting to the engagement of private vessels becomes imperative. Even the recently inaugurated Pandu River Police Out Post finds itself contending with substandard facilities, underscoring the challenges faced by this vital arm of law enforcement.
In the labyrinth of trials that confront us, the fragility of safety and security along our waterways casts a disconcerting shadow. The lamentable condition of the River Police Organisation, marred by inadequacies, decay, and apprehensions about security, underscores the pressing demand for both attention and resources. It is imperative to address these issues promptly, channeling the necessary support to fortify the organization. Only through such measures we can guarantee the robust safeguarding of our citizens and the vital waterway infrastructures. A concerted effort is quintessential for the the critical tasks of preventing and detecting crime in the riverine route and char areas of the Brahmaputra, ensuring a shield against the myriad challenges that flow along its currents.
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