STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Boredom may have hit the personnel of the State armed police and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) for having to perform unconventional duties but they are trying to stay motivated in the days of the lockdown.
This correspondent spoke to many uniform men and women on duty and the word that comes out is that boredom exists as they are sitting in one place and screaming at those who are not maintaining social distancing and the other protocols. "We are used to tackling law and order or are engaged in counter-insurgency offensive; all of a sudden we are dealing with something different in a peace area", stated a CRPF constable, adding these are new assignments and we try to stay motivated.
The CRPF men said that there were instances where they had to threaten people with baton sticks for violation the standard protocols. The CAPF along with the police are in full strength in Shillong to enforce the lockdown and curfew. In areas where there is no violation, almost all of them are busy with their mobile phones. "We have nothing to do except going through social media platforms", stated a State SF10 constable who was more engaged in the counterinsurgency operations in Garo Hills three years back.
While the men on the filed have nothing to complain except for unconventional duties, top shots in the State Police and the CAPF told this correspondent that all the men are motivated to don a new mantle and take on a different enemy altogether.
A senior ADGP of the State police told this correspondent that the situation may be distressful but all of them acceded that to the fact that in times like these they have to go beyond their conventional duties. Inspector General of the CRPF, Sudhakar Upadya said over phone, "The sudden announcement may have taken the men by surprise, but their response to the situation is enormouse.