Gujarat: Over 18,000 police recruits get appointment letters at mega event

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Thursday gave appointment letters to over 18,000 police recruits, including 4,500 women, of various ranks, at a mega ceremony held here.

Total 18,217 police recruits, including 4,527 women, were given appointment letters at the special event organised at the Sabarmati river front, where apart from Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and several state ministers, top police officers were also present.

The chief minister formally handed over the appointment letters to around 15 recruits during the event.

"This is for the first time in the history of Gujarat, that over 18,000 policemen are given appointment letters. To strengthen the police force, we have recruited over 26,000 policemen in the last one and half years," Rupani said in his address.

Gujarat in-charge DGP Geetha Johri said, "These newly-recruited policemen include 13,000 Lok Rakshaks (constables), 3,904 SRP jawans, 220 Police Sub Inspectors, 200 Assistant Sub Inspectors, 752 jail sipoys. 59 Intelligence Officers and 82 Assistant Intelligence Officers."

State Home Minister, Pradeepsinh Jadeja said that before joining the force, these policemen would undergo rigorous training at various police training schools in the state.

In his speech, Rupani urged them to discharge their duties honestly and said they should refrain from demanding and taking bribes.

"This entire recruitment process was completely transparent, as none of you can claim that you got the job by paying money, which used to happen in the past. I now urge you to refrain from taking money from people once you join the force," he said.

Of the total number of recruits, around 50 per cent were either graduates or post-graduates.

Rupani also said that the government was mulling to open new 'sainik schools' in the state to encourage youths to join the Army and police force.