RAJESH kumar poonch
Thana Diwas Held at Kankote; SSP Poonch Listens to Public Grievances, Assures Prompt Redressal
Poonch, October 07, 2026:
As part of its continued public outreach programme aimed at strengthening police-public relations and ensuring accessible, responsive and people-oriented policing, District Police Poonch organised a Thana Diwas at Kankote under the jurisdiction of Police Station Poonch.
The programme was attended by SSP Poonch, Sh. Shafket Hussain, JKPS, along with DySP Headquarters Poonch, besides a large number of local residents, prominent citizens and community representatives from Noonabandi, Nangali, Shahpur, Saral, Chandak and Qasba.
During the interaction, SSP Poonch gave a patient hearing to the issues, grievances and concerns raised by the participants. The residents were encouraged to freely share their problems and suggestions relating to policing, public safety, law and order, traffic management, drug abuse and trafficking, and other issues affecting the local community.
SSP Poonch assured the gathering that District Police Poonch remains committed to providing prompt, accessible and citizen-centric policing. He directed the concerned officers to examine the issues raised during the programme on priority and ensure their timely redressal strictly in accordance with law. Several grievances were also redressed on the spot, providing immediate relief to the concerned individuals.
While interacting with the public, SSP Poonch emphasised that trust, cooperation and mutual respect between the police and the public are the foundation of effective policing. He stated that policing becomes more effective when the community actively participates in maintaining peace, security and public order.
A detailed discussion was also held on the growing challenge of drug abuse and its adverse impact on youth, families and society. SSP Poonch sensitised the participants about the need for collective and sustained efforts to prevent drug abuse and curb drug trafficking. The public was urged to remain vigilant and promptly share credible information regarding drug peddling, illicit activities, suspicious movements or other activities of anti-national elements (ANEs) with the police.
It was emphasised that information provided by genuine sources would be dealt with appropriately and that the identity of informants would be kept confidential in accordance with law and procedure.
SSP Poonch further sensitised the gathering regarding the need to remain alert against anti-national and anti-social elements. The residents were advised not to provide shelter, logistical support, assistance or any other form of facilitation to persons involved in unlawful or suspicious activities. They were also urged to immediately inform the police about any suspicious person, movement or activity that may have implications for public safety and security.
Given the strategic and sensitive nature of the area, SSP Poonch stressed the importance of community participation in maintaining a strong security and intelligence network. He called upon local residents, youth, elders and community representatives to work closely with the police and other security agencies to maintain peace, communal harmony and a secure environment.
The SSP also encouraged the youth to remain constructively engaged in education, sports and other positive activities and urged community members to collectively work towards preventing young people from falling prey to drugs, criminal activities and other social evils.
The participants appreciated the initiative of District Police Poonch for taking policing to the doorstep of the people and providing a platform where their concerns could be directly placed before senior police officers. They also expressed their willingness to extend full cooperation to the police in matters relating to public safety, prevention of crime and maintenance of peace.
Concluding the interaction, SSP Poonch reiterated that District Police Poonch is always available for the people and will continue to work with sincerity, sensitivity, professionalism and a strong sense of public service for the safety, security and well-being of the people.
He further assured that such Thana Diwas and other public outreach programmes would continue to be organised regularly across the district, with the objective of strengthening police-public partnership, improving service delivery and ensuring responsive, accountable and people-oriented policing
