Rewa city is grappling with a significant shortage of police personnel, with only 234 officers and staff deployed across its seven major police stations despite increasing population, expanding urban limits, and growing law-and-order responsibilities.

According to official figures, the city's Kotwali, Civil Lines, Chorhata, University, Saman, Bichhiya, and Amahiya police stations are operating with limited manpower, forcing the existing force to manage crime control, law-and-order duties, VIP security, traffic management, investigations, and public events simultaneously.

Civil Lines Has Highest Strength

Among the seven police stations, Civil Lines Police Station has the largest deployment with 44 personnel, followed by:

• Kotwali – 40 personnel

• Chorhata – 36 personnel

• Saman – 36 personnel

• Bichhiya – 30 personnel

• University – 25 personnel

• Amahiya – 23 personnel

Despite these deployments, officials acknowledge that the available strength remains inadequate considering the city's growing policing requirements.

Limited Officers Handling Multiple Responsibilities

The staffing pattern further highlights the shortage. Across all seven police stations, there are only:

• 6 Station House Officers (SHOs)

• 16 Sub-Inspectors (SIs)

• 18 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs)

• 63 Head Constables/Munshis

• 131 Constables

These 234 personnel are responsible for maintaining law and order across the entire urban area.

Growing Workload on Police Force

With Rewa witnessing rapid urban expansion, police personnel are handling a wide range of responsibilities beyond routine crime investigation. These include:

• Day and night patrolling

• Investigation of murders, robberies, thefts, shootings, and accidents

• Arrest and tracking of accused persons

• Court appearances

• Women's safety and security

• Traffic management

• VIP security arrangements

• Festival and religious event security

• Law-and-order management during protests and demonstrations

The same limited workforce is deployed for all these assignments, increasing operational pressure on police stations.

Rising Crime Raises Concerns

Recent incidents involving murder, firing, theft, and other serious crimes have intensified concerns over the adequacy of police resources. Investigating such cases requires dedicated teams, while regular patrolling and emergency response must continue simultaneously.

Officials and policing experts believe that manpower shortages often compel individual officers to perform multiple duties, which can affect both investigation quality and preventive policing.

Demand for Additional Police Personnel

Experts associated with policing and public administration say Rewa's expanding population and changing crime patterns require a corresponding increase in police strength.

They believe additional personnel would help:

• Increase regular patrolling across the city.

• Ensure faster response to public complaints.

• Improve emergency deployment capabilities.

• Strengthen crime prevention and investigation.

With only 234 police personnel currently responsible for securing Rewa's urban limits, concerns continue to grow over whether the existing force can effectively meet the city's evolving law-and-order challenges.