1 cop for 663 common men, 3 for 1 VIP, police-to-population numbers reveal

Representational image (File pic)

New Delhi: In India, there are three policemen to protect one VIP (Very Important Person), and just one policeman to protect 663 common men.

This shocking police-to-population data was compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), a home ministry division.

According to the data, there are almost 19.26 lakh police officers in the country.

Out of this, 56,944 are deployed for the safety of 20,828 VIPs across 29 states and six Union Territories. The average comes out to 2.73 cops for each VIP.

That leaves just 19 lakh cops to protect over 1 billion Indian citizens.

India is one of the least policed countries in the world, with just one policeman looking after every 663 Indians.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in April 2017, banned the use of red and blue beacons, in an effort to end VIP culture.

However, it seems, states have paid no heed to PM Modi's statement.

The data reveals, Bihar has the highest VIP protection, 3,200 VIPs protected by 6,248 cops. This is followed by West Bengal, with 4,233 cops guarding 2,207 VIPs and Jammu and Kashmir which has 2,075 VIPs getting security from 4,499 policemen. In Uttar Pradesh, 4,681 cops are guarding 1,901 VIPs, reported the TOI.

In Delhi, which is home the PM and President, there are just 489 protected persons but has the maximum number of cops, 7,420, deputed to secure them.

On the other hand, Maharashtra has just 74 protected persons secured by 961 cops, while Kerala has only 57 VIPs and 214 policemen.

Lakshadweep is the only state/UT where no one has been given dedicated police protection.