CHOWKIDARS STAGED A SIT-IN PROTEST

CHOWKIDARS STAGED A SIT-IN PROTEST

21-NOV-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-----------------------All the Chowkidars of the police station, under the leadership of their union president Mahendra Paswan, staged a sit-in protest at the Kudra police station premises in Kaimur district, angered by the working style of the station chief and the station clerk. The aggrieved Chowkidars alleged that the officers working under the station use abusive language against them. Furthermore, for the past one and a half to two months, a deputy has been assigned to the 112 vehicle, and they are also being made to work at the police station. Displeased with this style of working, they staged a sit-in protest at the police station to protect their dignity and honor. Mahendra Paswan, president of the Chowkidar Union, stated that upon seeing them sit-in, the station chief assured them of resolving the issue through dialogue, forcing them to end the protest.

What the Bihar Chowkidar Rules Say

The duties of Chowkidars are defined under Act 16 (Sections 5 and 6) of the Bihar Chowkidari Rules, 1870, and other relevant government orders. These duties generally include patrolling the village, keeping birth and death records, reporting crimes, and helping to maintain local peace. Police station chowkidars cannot be continuously assigned to duty number 112. Their duties are clearly defined in the Bihar Chowkidari Manual, and they are exempt from certain tasks to enable them to perform their primary duties. Duty Rules for Chowkidars -

The primary duties of Chowkidars are to monitor crimes in their designated area (beat), maintain law and order, and report any suspicious activity or incident to the police station. Other Duties: They are required to report births and deaths, land disputes, encroachments, prohibition-related cases, and communal disputes in their area. Restricted Duties: According to guidelines from the Home Department of the Government of Bihar, Chowkidars are prohibited from performing certain types of duties, including: court duty, bank duty, duty at the private residences of senior officials (such as the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police). Regular deployment on Dial 112 service vehicles (this is primarily the responsibility of regular police personnel).

Although chowkidars' working hours are not fixed and can sometimes be 12-hour shifts or more, keeping them continuously engaged in the same work without leave may be against service rules. Administrative control: The Superintendent of Police (SP) or District Magistrate (DM) has the authority to take disciplinary action against chowkidars in cases of misconduct, incompetence, or dereliction of duty.

If a chowkidar is continuously assigned to 112 duty, it may be outside the scope of their assigned duties. In this case, they can file a complaint with the concerned higher authorities or the Human Rights Commission, as they are primarily assigned to patrol and collect information in their own beat area.