Srinagar: Barely a month after the government issued a ‘gag’ order on the use of social media by its employees, Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday asked its personnel to avoid using mobile phones during “sensitive and alert duties” or during “training hours.”
The order, issued by Director General of Police, Dr S P Vaid strictly prohibits police men from using cell phones during sensitive duty and alert duties or while undergoing training.
“Ever since the mobile services were launched in the state, the police personnel as others have taken advantage of the fast communication it provides in carrying out their official tasks.
However, the disturbing trend is that police personnel deployed on guard duties or point duties are invariably seen often talking on their cell phones oblivious to the task and responsibility they are entrusted with,” read the order.
Elaborating, the order said “this results not only in disruption of police duty but can also be a great security risk as the sentry or traffic official would hardly notice looming threat ort disruption when his mind and body are concentrated elsewhere.”
“It has also been noticed that police recruits under training are always carrying and using cell phones without any restrictions.”
“Carrying cell phones and using them during duty hours or while undergoing training besides becoming cause of distraction/disruption or damage, also amounts to flouting of norms of discipline and conduct rules,” the order further citing motives behind the ban.
This “unhealthy practice”, the order added, of using cell phones while on duty is very disturbing and has negative impact on the overall working environment and image of the Department, besides compromising the efficiency and efficacy of the tasks.
“…it is enjoined upon all the heads of wings that necessary steps be taken to curb the tendency of using cell phone by men deployed at sensitive/alert duties/ in training institutes, the trainees shall not be allowed to carry cell phones during training hours and the same shall remain deposited with their instructor/course administrators during training hours,” the order warns. “These instructions shall be implemented strictly.”
Last year on December 25, the state government issued, what it called, guidelines to regulate the usage of social media by its employees, which included, among others, refraining from posts prejudicial to the government.
“No government employee shall engage in any criminal, dishonest, immoral or notoriously disgraceful conduct on social media which may be prejudicial to the government,” the order that was issued by the General Administration Department had said.
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