Recently an article had appeared in the e-newspaper, The Print, written by a famous police officer expressing his views on the happenings in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). He appeared to be very upset with few officers from the CAPF who were creating a tamasha through indiscipline and slandering of the IPS. He was uncomfortable with the officers who were trying to seek justice. He seemed upset with a few conscientious cadre officers having vested interest to have moved the courts in individual capacity daring to challenge the police leadership and their strong association.

He also had objections to the CAPF officers trying to express their grievances to the authorities and the approach adopted by police leadership in delivering the legitimate benefits to CAPF members. He, however, maintained complete silence on the approach adopted by police leadership in implementing the decision of the Delhi High Court and getting approval from the Cabinet to grant Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) and Organised Group A Service (OGAS) status to the CAPF. The retired police officer only tried to deflect the issue that CAPF officers have always opposed the move of the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to command the CAPF because it adversely affects promotional prospects of the cadre. This is another matter for debate and is not linked to the present crisis.




There is no denial that IPS officers played an important part in raising CAPFs like Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and served in these forces for many years. Over the years, the forces and its members have grown, and comprise a strong cadre which is competent, experienced and knowledgeable. With time, the forces have stabilised now. The officers are senior enough to take on higher responsibilities, and thus have genuine aspirations. This is a cause of conflict, a clash of interest for the IPS leadership who feel they are still important to be holding control of these forces. The argument is that they belong to a superior service, are articulate, educated, connected and confident to interact with chief ministers and secretaries. The intent is to show cadre officers down, thus the need for police leadership. This has only resulted in consistent diminishing of trust and confidence between police officers and the cadre who actually work and lead the men in field. The gap in trust deficit is widening and has now started surfacing openly. Importantly, it is a challenge for senior officers to ensure that those under their command are not discontent as it would only result in disobedience and ultimately, indiscipline. Eventually, it will affect the operational and administrative efficiency. The CAPFs have enough reasons to feel helpless and aggrieved when they find out how the IPS leadership has been putting hurdles in the force’s functioning. They have no open channel or platform available to be represented by a strong association like CIPSA. Their communication channels are through the same very police leadership.