People-based intelligence does work: Police

BIRATNAGAR, March 29: Police claim that the disputed package of financially awarding people for intelligence about illegal weapons and criminals is gaining momemtum. "Before announcing the package last week, people were little convinced on helping the police with information," said DIG Bhishma Prasain, chief of Eastern Region Police Office.



According to Prasain, the announcement, which featured rewards ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 150,000 has led to the seizure of two weapons. [break]



On Sunday, Prasai himself sponsored the first reward worth Rs 3,000 that was handed over to the one who helped seize a Katuwa pistol. Another person who helped seize an Italian pistol has not contacted the police for the reward, he said.



Prasain said the two of seven weapons seized after the announcement were tipped off by informants.



However, he drew some flak about the so-called ´Citizen Security Fund´ which he said would be outsourced from industrialists, businessmen and others to sustain the people-based intelligence package.



Prasain says the fund would not be operated for the time being, owing to criticism about its legitimacy. "There are some problems to run the fund," he said. "So I will not be operating it before the police headquarters finalizes a similar intelligence plan with legal status."



The ´Citizen Security Fund´ was criticized as an act of collecting illegal donations by a government agency. Under the package, Rs 100,000 is awarded to those who help seize an AK-47 rifle and an additional 50,000 for supporting to arrest the criminal possessing the lethal weapon.



Meanwhile, Armed Police Force (APF) has arrested an Indian national, Mohammed Raja of Arariya district in Bihar, in possession of a pistol and some ammunition.

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