JOIN USSpecial commissioner of police (crime) Dharmendra Kumar gives a peek into the functioning of the police bomb disposal squad in a conversation with Sumit Kumar Singh. Excerpts:
What are the primary tasks of the bomb detection and disposal squad of Delhi Police?
Their primary function is to carry out anti-sabotage checks on a regular basis at all vitals points in the city, such as markets, Metro, government office and railway establishments every day. If an improvised explosive device is found, they can defuse it or else the National Security Guard, which has the best trained and specialised hands, can be called to assist in defusing or disposing off the IED. They also carry out checks during VIP movement or any major function or gathering in the city.
Is the squad under Delhi Police well equipped with modern equipment and technology?
Since the NSG bomb disposal squad, one of the best, is available and is within minutes away, it does not seem proper for the government to buy expensive equipment again for Delhi Police. The NSG and the Indian Army have the best technologies and best trained hands in their bomb disposal squads in the city, so buying the same equipment again will be counterproductive.
The squad members’ lives are always at risk. How do you motivate your team members?
Members of the bomb disposal squad work in three shifts, and they get enough time to spend with their families, unlike other departments of the force. To motive and train them, they are sent to various bomb disposal training programmes carried out by security forces across the country.
Like the army and the National Security Guard, is it possible for police to recruit technical people like engineers in the bomb disposal squad?
Well, we already have Indian Army and NSG squads at hand, which have highly trained technical hands, so it does not seem feasible in the police department to hire engineers.
Security forces in the country are giving risk allowances to members of their bomb disposal squads. Is Delhi Police planning the same?
The proposal for giving risk allowance to the bomb disposal squad will be sent to the authorities concerned. They must get such allowances.