Intelligence agencies of Rajasthan busy in gathering information of leaders: failed to inform about the riots; Big alert not given for 20 years

In the midst of the ongoing political battle between the Congress and the BJP over the riots in Jodhpur and Karauli, the biggest question is why the police's intelligence failed to detect it? When Bhaskar investigated in search of answers, it came to light that the energy of the Intelligence Unit (State Special Branch) is being spent in gathering political information instead of keeping an eye on the suspects. More than 60% of the time of about 1000 policemen posted in this unit is being spent in gathering political inputs. The remaining 40% of the time, based on the alleged information gathered, either ridiculous alerts are issued or false.

Intelligence has not given any major alert in the last 20 years, which has turned out to be accurate and with the help of which the local police have saved law and order from deteriorating. Many former and current officers who have worked in Intelligence confirmed this. When Bhaskar spoke to DG Intelligence Umesh Mishra, he declined to comment.

Responsibility is big... but it is happening

Internal intelligence information related to the law and order of the state.

Monitoring of suspicious activities on the Pakistan border adjacent to the state.

Detection and surveillance of spies for other countries.

Security arrangements for VVIP and important government buildings.

Tracking and tracing of citizens coming to the state from other countries.

Coordination with the Central Government and other agencies as and when required.

Every year, before festivals and big events, an alert is issued about the possibility of law and order breakdown, but it is not clear where the disturbance can happen and who can do it?

In the name of intelligence from the field, the clippings of the news published in the local newspapers are sent to the Intelligence Headquarters as confidential.

Many times, inputs are sent from the field considering the gossip going on in the society to be true and without verifying it, an alert is issued on the basis of Aadhaar.

The officer has the knowledge of suspicious activity, but the policeman posted in the field is not aware of it.

More energy being consumed in political intelligence

An intelligence official said on the condition of anonymity that we have a deployment of people around every party's office and prominent leaders. Rebel leaders and big faces of the opposition have a special eye. Even care is taken that who is going where and meeting whom? In 2013, the then DGP Harish Meena expressed anguish in the presence of CM Ashok Gehlot on the use of Intelligence Unit as a political weapon that its work has been reduced to political intelligence only.

Situation like this... when 10 IPS and 800 jawans were put on wrong input

The hallmark of wrong input of intelligence was seen after the death of Surendra Bahadur Singh of Sri Arya Marudhar Gymnasium in Jodhpur on Sunday. More than 800 police personnel were deployed on the basis of which intelligence has issued an alert about the possibility of law and order in the funeral procession due to mistaken identity. In these, 3 IG, 2 DIG and 5 SP were posted.

Intelligence has a separate wing for gathering political information. Its work was limited till the time of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat government, but later gradually its trend increased. Intelligence should focus more on gathering other necessary inputs. Ramjivan Meena, former DG

A separate cadre was created but not recruited; Neither coordination with the headquarters nor with the local police

After becoming a close cadre of intelligence in 2014, from constable to CI are from this unit, but it has been more than 15 years since the ASI was recruited. However, one batch of SI is still undergoing training. In addition to the DG at the headquarters, there are two IGs and two DIGs, while in the field work from Additional SP to constable below the zonal officer of IPS level. There has been no communication between the entire team for many years. Nor is there any coordination with the local police.