Nagpur: While Nagpur witnessed unprecedented communal violence on March 17, which left multiple police personnel injured and vehicles torched, the suburb of Kamptee remained peaceful. Despite being considered a sensitive area, proactive policing and continuous community engagement under the leadership of Zone V Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Niketan Kadam ensured stability in the region.
Old Kamptee police inspector Prashant Jumade attributed the peaceful atmosphere to DCP Kadam’s strategic approach.
“The key to maintaining peace was the introduction of corner meetings, where police personnel interacted with residents in different localities. These meetings allowed people to voice their concerns and grievances, fostering trust and strengthening police-community relations,” Jumade said.
Additionally, before leaving to handle the Mahal riots, DCP Kadam had issued specific instructions to ensure law and order in Kamptee, preventing any spillover violence.
New Kamptee police inspector Mahesh Aandhale highlighted how religious leaders played a significant role in maintaining harmony.
“We collaborated with Muslim religious leaders to spread messages of peace. Special videos were created and circulated on social media, and imams were urged to discourage provocative online activities,” Aandhale explained.
However, on March 19, a 30-year-old man uploaded an objectionable post on social media. “We took swift action, apprehended him, and booked him under the IT Act. This sent a strong message against any attempts to disrupt peace,” he added.
DCP Niketan Kadam emphasized that maintaining public trust requires consistent efforts.
“Trust-building is a gradual process. Deploying a police force alone cannot control public anger. That’s why I introduced the corner meetings initiative in Zone V. These sessions allow police personnel to directly engage with residents, listen to their concerns, and address them proactively. This trust becomes crucial during crisis situations,” he said.
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