Police
Policing in the islands began with effect from 22.11.58 by the establishment of the first Police stations at Minicoy. The staff posted therein consisted of a strength of one S.I., 2 HCs and 5 Constables who were deputationists and ex-servicemen from mainland. The second Police station came into being at Androth during the same year. Police stations in other inhabited islands were established in 1960’s . The outpost at Bitra under Chetlath Police Station and the aid post at Bangaram under Agatti Police Station respectively started functioning during the year 1991 CrPC and IPC were extended to this Union Territory with effect from 1.11.67. From 1956 till 1.11.1967, the local Amins were functioning at 3rd Class Magistrates and discharging Police duties in their respective islands. Other Acts were extended subsequently.
Administrator is the ex-officio IGP . An Officer of the rank of Dy.S.P. was the executive head of the force from 1964 to 1974 assisted by one Inspector at Minicoy . His HQ was later shifted to Kavaratti. The present set up is based on the report on “Reorganisation of Police in the LMA group of islands” prepared by Sri Kripal Singh IPS DIG Delhi Administration during the year 1969. Shri P.V.Sinari, the first IPS Officer joined the force on 16.1.74. The first batch of constables recruited on 13.7.64 were posted in the islands after basic training in January 1965. The first batch of direct entry Sub Inspectors recruited in 1971 joined the force in October 1972. The deputation system was discontinued since 1978 and the vacant posts were filled up with qualified officers from the force. Of these, a strength of one HC and 16 Police Constables are women. During April 2003, 26 Police constables were recruited and they are being sent for the basic training in October. The Police force consists of personnel from Kerala and the islands.
Lakshadweep Police Wireless was established in 1980 and is functioning under the Inspector (Communication). Officers of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector (Wireless Operator) are managing the wireless station in the islands. The islands are connected with High Frequency interfaced with BEST equipment, VHF and UHF.
A special Branch unit is functioning at H.Q. Kavaratti headed by an Inspector of Police and under the direct control of the Superintendent of Police. Similar units are functioning at Kochi and Kozhikode also. The staff Officer to the S.P. manages the personal section of S.P.
The security of the only airport at Agatti is managed by the strength of an Inspector, one S.I., one (SI woman), 2 HCs and 5 constables since 16.4.88.
The Police station in each island is managed by an officer of the rank of Sub Inspector except at Minicoy where an Inspector is posted as the OIC. They are also designated as Registration Officers under LMA Islands (Restriction on Entry and residence rules 1967) and Prohibition Officers under Lakshadweep Prohibition Regulation 1967. The Police Stations except Chetlath is provided with a jeep and motor cycle.
Lakshadweep being the smallest in the country, the Police force is also very small. The crime rate is also the lowest in the country. The cases reported at the Police Stations amount to thefts, trespass, rioting , mischief criminal breach of trust etc. Heinous crimes are rare. Only three murder cases are reported so far, two at Androth and one at Kalpeni respectively.
A Fire Protection and Control unit has also been established in the Union Territory since 1994 and are functioning in major islands of Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti and Androth under the control of the OIC Police stations. The Superintendent of Police is designated as the Chief Fire Officer. One fire tender each is available in the above islands in addition to fire fighting equipments. Separate fire stations have been established at Androth and Minicoy during 1996 and 1999 respectively.
A Vigilance and anticorruption unit is also functioning here under the supervision of Vigilance Officer at Secretariat.
Two companies of MPSAF which were stationed in the islands since 1974 has been replaced by the India Reserve Battalion raised for Lakshadweep. Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli since January 2001 headed by the Commandant at H.Q.Kavaratti.
The officers and men of the force have been imparted training in various subjects including modern techniques in investigation and computer training. SCRB / DCRB is functioning at PHQ.