By IANS
Jaipur : In a unique step aimed at improving the law and order situation in the state, the Rajasthan government wants its officials to become detectives.
As per a state government circular, the employees would have to keep a close watch on the activities taking place around them.
Not only would they have to inform the police or the magistrate about criminal activities taking place around them, they would have to inform about the anticipated misdemeanours and troubles.
The circular reminds employees of Section 39 of state service rules under which an employee has to inform about any illegal activity.
If any official fails to follow the circular, he would be charged for carelessness and strong administrative action taken against him.
The BJP government considers it as an important step to ensure better law and order in the state and a measure aimed at improving the information gathering mechanism.
The state government employees at the village level like patwaris, gram sevaks and others have specifically been asked to keep a close watch on activities in their area. They should report immediately about any preparations for a stir or protest.
Senior government officials feel the circular has been sent because several government officials at the grass-roots level were aware of the preparations by the Gujjars to stage a stir. But, the government still failed to gather the necessary information that could have checked the violence that followed.
The state government has also decided to form a crisis management group to deal with mass protests and demonstrations. The group would prepare a strategy to combat such situations in future.
The agitation by the Gujjar community demanding scheduled tribe status had paralysed normal life in Rajasthan from May 29 to June 4. At least 26 people were killed in the violence.